Softball Game Preview: East Ridge Warriors vs. Tug Valley Panthers

For the second straight game, East Ridge will face off against Tug Valley. The Warriors will head out on the road to face off against the Panthers at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. The teams are rolling into the game with opposing streaks: East Ridge has struggled recently with four defeats in a row, while Tug Valley will arrive with three straight wins.

Wednesday just wasn't the day for East Ridge's offense. They came up short against Tug Valley on Wednesday, falling 8-0. The matchup marked the first time this season in which the Warriors were not able to get on the board.

For Tug Valley's part, Bailee Hall was a major factor no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only one hit while striking out 13 over five innings pitched. With that strong performance, Hall is now averaging an impressive 5.8 strikeouts per game. She was also big at the plate, scoring two runs and stealing two bases while going 2-for-3. What's more, she posted two doubles, the most she's had since back in May of 2024.

Hall wasn't the only one making solid contact as seven players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Katie Hall, who scored a run while going 2-for-3. Kenadi Casey also deserves some recognition as she got her first hit of the season.

Tug Valley was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .417. That's the best batting average they've posted all season.

Tug Valley's victory was their eighth straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 6-3. Those home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.9 runs over those games. As for East Ridge, their loss dropped their record down to 2-7.