Softball Game Preview: North Port Bobcats vs. Lehigh Lightning

The North Port Bobcats will face off against the Lehigh Lightning at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Both teams took a loss in their last game, so they'll have plenty of motivation to get the 'W'.

Things were looking good for North Port after they put the first points on the board on Friday, but unfortunately for them things went downhill from there. They took a 6-3 hit to the loss column at the hands of Lemon Bay. The Bobcats have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.

Payson Rumley spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered five earned (and one unearned) runs on eight hits and racked up seven Ks. Those hits marked the first that she allowed this season.

On the hitting side, Kaitlin Kohlenberg was cooking despite her team's loss, scoring a run and stealing four bases while going 1-for-3. Another player making a difference was Emma Baskins, who scored two runs and stole two bases while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances.

Meanwhile, Lehigh fell victim to Babcock and their airtight pitching crew on Friday. They lost 7-0 to the Trailblazers. The Lightning just can't catch a break and have now endured three losses in a row.

North Port's defeat dropped their record down to 4-6. As for Lehigh, their loss dropped their record down to 3-7.

North Port took their win against Lehigh in their previous matchup back in April of 2022 by a conclusive 12-1. Will North Port repeat their success, or does Lehigh has a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.