Softball Game Preview: Murphysboro Red Devils vs. Pinckneyville Panthers

The Murphysboro Red Devils will venture away from home to challenge the Pinckneyville Panthers at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Both come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.

Murphysboro barely beat Herrin the last time the pair played, but that sure wasn't the case this time around. The Red Devils were the clear victors by a 9-1 margin over the Tigers on Monday. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Red Devils.

Arianna Smith

Runs Batted In (Career)

04/20/26 vs Herrin	4
03/18/26 @ Vienna	3
04/11/26 vs Central A & M	2
03/28/26 @ Ballard Memorial	2
04/21/25 @ Herrin	2

Arianna Smith made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She tossed seven innings while giving up just one earned run off seven hits. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 13 consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with one home run, four RBI, and one double. Those four RBI gave her a new career-high.

In other batting news, Ashlyn Campebell was excellent, going 1-for-3 with two runs, two RBI, and one double. That's the most runs she has posted since back in March. The team also got some help courtesy of Maebry Presutti, who went 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI.

Murphysboro was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .484. That's the best batting average they've posted all season.

Meanwhile, it was a proper cat-fight when Pinckneyville faced off against Anna-Jonesboro on Tuesday. The Panthers came out on top against the Wildcats by a score of 6-3. The victory continues a trend for the Panthers in their matchups with the Wildcats: they've now won three in a row.

Murphysboro's record now sits at 9-11. As for Pinckneyville, their record is now 12-6.

Murphysboro might still be hurting after the 6-0 defeat they got from Pinckneyville in their previous meeting back in April of 2025. Can the Red Devils avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.