Softball Game Preview: Baker County Wildcats vs. Middleburg Broncos

The Baker County Wildcats will head out to challenge the Middleburg Broncos at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Baker County's pitching crew has only allowed 2.4 runs per game this season, so Middleburg's hitters will have their work cut out for them.

Baker County blew Bartram Trail out of the water the last time the pair played, but on Thursday Bartram Trail got their revenge. The Wildcats fell just short of the Bears by a score of 2-0. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest defeat the Wildcats have suffered since March 12, 2024.

Baker County saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Nasia Green, who went 2-for-3 with one double.

Meanwhile, Middleburg entered their tilt with Columbia on Thursday with two consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with three. They walked away with an 8-3 victory over the Tigers.

The team relied heavily on Kerra Clarida, who went 2-for-4 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. KK Hagan was another key player, scoring two runs while going 3-for-5.

Middleburg's win bumped their record up to 13-6. As for Baker County, this is the second loss in a row for them and nudges their season record down to 13-4-1.

The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Baker County has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Middleburg struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.1 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.

Baker County skirted past Middleburg 2-0 when the teams last played two weeks ago. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Wildcats since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.