Softball Game Preview: Orange Park Raiders vs. Ridgeview Panthers

Orange Park is 1-9 against Ridgeview since March of 2018 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Tuesday. The Raiders will square off against the Panthers at 6:30 p.m. Orange Park has given up an average of 11.5 runs per game this season, but Tuesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Orange Park came into their game on Monday off a hard-fought close win, but unfortunately suffered a serious change of fortune. They lost 17-7 to Sandalwood.

Regan Barnett and Zoe Pascoe stepped up to the plate in a big way. Barnett went 2-for-4 with two RBI and one double, while Pascoe scored two runs while going 3-for-3. Another player making a difference was Makayla Ballard, who scored a run while going 1-for-2.

Meanwhile, Ridgeview was not able to break out of their rough patch on Monday as the team picked up their third straight loss. They fell 5-2 to Trinity Catholic.

Saige Bialek spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and two unearned) runs on seven hits and racked up 11 Ks. She has been consistent : she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in five consecutive appearances.

At the plate, Ridgeview saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Peyton Kirk, who went 2-for-4 with two doubles. Meilani McNab also deserves some recognition as she brought in her first RBI of the season.

Orange Park's defeat dropped their record down to 3-13. As for Ridgeview, their loss dropped their record down to 6-13.

Both the two teams just can't seem to miss. Orange Park has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 8.8 hits per game. However, it's not like Ridgeview struggles in that department as they've been averaging only 4.9 hits. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.

Orange Park couldn't quite get it done against Ridgeview in their previous meeting back in April of 2024 as they fell 3-0. Can the Raiders avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.