Softball Game Preview: Blacksburg Bruins vs. Salem Spartans

Blacksburg is 8-2 against Salem since May of 2019 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Friday. The Bruins will be playing in front of their home fans against the Spartans at 7:00 p.m. Blacksburg is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 9 runs per game this season.

Blacksburg gave up the first runs on Tuesday, but they didn't let that get them down. Everything went their way against Pulaski County as they made off with a 20-5 win. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Bruins.

Clara McMahon

Runs (Career)

04/08/25 @ Pulaski County	3
03/25/25 vs Radford	2
03/21/25 @ William Byrd	2
04/26/24 vs Salem	2
04/17/24 @ Auburn	2

Clara McMahon was a major factor no matter where she played. She struck out seven batters over five innings while giving up four earned (and one unearned) runs off six hits (and only one walk). She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, going 4-for-5 with one home run, three runs, and four RBI. Those three runs gave her a new career-high.

In other batting news, Blacksburg got a massive performance out of Sullivan Shealor, who went 3-for-4 with one home run, four runs, and four RBI. That home run marked the first that Shealor launched this season. Another player making a difference was Madelyn Williams, who scored three runs and stole a base while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances.

Blacksburg always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .619. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.

Meanwhile, Salem hadn't done well against Cave Spring recently (they were 0-9 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Tuesday. The Spartans never let the Knights get on the board and left with a 4-0 victory.

Blacksburg's win bumped their record up to 5-2. As for Salem, their victory ended a seven-game drought at home dating back to last season and bumped them up to 2-3.

Blacksburg took their win against Salem in their previous matchup back in April of 2024 by a conclusive 14-5 score. Will the Bruins repeat their success, or do the Spartans have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.