Softball Recap: Appalachian Has No Trouble Against Cleveland

Eagles

Margin (Wins)

03/20/25 vs Jefferson Christian Academy	16
03/21/25 @ Ragland	15
03/17/25 vs Ragland	14
03/17/25 vs Ragland	14
04/14/25 @ Pennington	11

It may have taken nine innings to finish the job, but Appalachian ultimately got the result they hoped for on Tuesday. They put the hurt on the Cleveland Panthers with a sharp 16-9 win. The Eagles might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won ten contests by six runs or more this season.

Charlie Payne was incredible, firing off two home runs, three runs, and three RBI while getting on base in all six of her plate appearances. Those two home runs gave her a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Graci McGuire, who scored two runs while going 3-for-6.

Appalachian kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 16 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least ten hits in four consecutive matches.

Appalachian is on a roll lately: they've won five of their last six games. That's provided a massive bump to their 13-6-1 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.3 runs over those games. As for Cleveland, their loss was their sixth straight at home, which dropped their record down to 11-20.

Both squads will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Appalachian will take on Jefferson Christian Academy at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. As for Cleveland, they will face off against Ashville at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. The Bulldogs' pitching crew has only allowed 3.5 runs per game this season, so the Panthers' hitters will have their work cut out for them.