Softball Game Preview: Port Byron Panthers vs. Pulaski Blue Devils

Panthers

Runs

04/22/26 vs Cato-Meridian	1
04/17/26 @ Hannibal	17
04/15/26 @ Weedsport	6
04/13/26 @ Bishop Ludden	12
04/11/26 vs Berne-Knox-Westerlo	9
04/09/26 vs Pulaski	11

Port Byron is 8-2 against Pulaski since April of 2018 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Friday. The Panthers will take on the Blue Devils at 4:30 p.m. Port Byron is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 9.3 runs per game this season.

Cato-Meridian hit Port Byron with a four-run third inning on Wednesday, which goes a long way in explaining the final result. The Panthers took a 6-1 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Blue Devils. The matchup marked the Panthers' lowest-scoring contest so far this season.

Mallory Mills spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned (and four unearned) runs on ten hits.

On the hitting side, Luciana Debois made the most of her time in the batter's box despite the final result and went 2-for-3 with one stolen base and one RBI.

Meanwhile, after soaring to 22 runs the game before, Pulaski was a bit more limited in their game on Wednesday. They came up short against Weedsport, falling 9-1.

Port Byron's defeat ended an 11-game streak of wins at home dating back to last season and dropped them to 2-4. As for Pulaski, their loss dropped their record down to 1-4.

Pulaski's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Port Byron has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 10.3 hits per game. It's a different story for Pulaski, though, as they've been averaging 10.6 hits. Given Port Byron's sizable advantage in that area, the Blue Devils will need to find a way to close that gap.

Port Byron skirted past Pulaski 11-10 when the teams last played two weeks ago. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Panthers since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.