Softball Game Preview: Freedom Patriots vs. Alexander Central Cougars

Freedom is 0-10 against Alexander Central since March of 2021 but things could change on Wednesday. The Patriots will face off against the Cougars at 7:00 p.m. Each of these teams will be fighting to keep a win streak alive as Freedom comes in on four and Alexander Central on 20.

Freedom came out on top against Hibriten on Tuesday thanks in part to the team's impressive four-run third inning. The Patriots skirted past the Panthers 6-5. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Patriots have posted since April 19, 2024.

Daniell Robinson made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, tossing 6.2 innings while giving up four earned (and one unearned) runs off five hits. Robinson was even better at the plate, going 2-for-4 with one home run and three RBI.

Rhiley Buchanan

Runs Batted In (Career)

04/29/25 @ Hibriten	3
03/19/25 vs North Gaston	2
03/13/25 vs Avery County	2
03/05/25 vs North Iredell	2
03/27/24 @ Ashe County	2

In other batting news, Englani Campbell and Rhiley Buchanan did most of the damage at the plate: Campbell went 2-for-4 with two doubles and one run, while Buchanan went 1-for-3 with three RBI. Those three RBI gave Buchanan a new career-high.

Freedom kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. They are 8-3 when they post 11 or more hits.

Meanwhile, Alexander Central put their dominant pitchers on display in the team's fourth consecutive shutout on Friday. They never let Palisades get on the board and left with a 6-0 win. The Cougars might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won 15 contests by six runs or more this season.

Alexander Central pushed their record up to 23-1 with the victory, which was their tenth straight on the road. The road wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.9 runs on average over those games. As for Freedom, their record now sits at 10-15.

Freedom suffered a grim 18-0 defeat to Alexander Central when the teams last played two weeks ago. Can the Patriots avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.