Softball Game Preview: Lake Norman Charter Knights vs. Pine Lake Prep Pride

The Lake Norman Charter Knights will head out on the road to square off against the Pine Lake Prep Pride at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Lake Norman Charter is coming into the matchup on a six-game losing streak.

Lake Norman Charter's last matchup with West Rowan could've gone either way, but unfortunately the same can't be said for the pair's contest on Tuesday. The Knights lost 10-2 to the Falcons.

Lake Norman Charter saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Morgan Gadd, who scored a run and stole a base while going 1-for-3.

Meanwhile, Pine Lake Prep hadn't done well against Mountain Island Charter recently (they were 2-7 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Tuesday. The Pride blew past the Raptors 17-1. The result was nothing new for the Pride, who have now won seven games by ten runs or more so far this season.

Emery Jensen was a major factor no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over four innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in seven consecutive appearances. She was even better at the plate, going a perfect 4-for-4 with one home run, nine RBI, and three doubles. Those four hits gave her a new career-high.

In other batting news, Pine Lake Prep let Ava Cornacchione and Sydney Gillmore run wild. Cornacchione scored four runs while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances, while Gillmore scored four runs and stole a base while going 2-for-3. Those four runs gave Cornacchione a new career-high. Maggie Autry was another key player, scoring a run while going 2-for-3.

Pine Lake Prep always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .700. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.

Lake Norman Charter's defeat dropped their record down to 2-7. As for Pine Lake Prep, their record is now 8-2.

Lake Norman Charter came up short against Pine Lake Prep in their previous meeting back in February of 2024, falling 4-0. Can the Knights avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.