Softball Game Preview: Walton Braves vs. Rutherford Rams

Walton is a perfect 10-0 against Rutherford since March of 2018 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Thursday. The Walton Braves will take on the Rutherford Rams at 6:00 p.m. Walton has given up an average of 7.2 runs per game this season, so hopefully the team got some pitching drills in this week.

Walton managed to slip by South Walton the last time these teams faced off, but didn't have those same answers this time around. Walton came up short against South Walton on Tuesday, falling 11-4.

Raina Pitts

Runs Batted In (Career)

03/11/25 vs South Walton	3
03/06/25 vs Chipley	2
04/01/24 vs Baker	2
02/29/24 @ Crestview	2
03/07/25 vs Second Baptist	1

Walton saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Raina Pitts, who went 2-for-4 with three RBI and one double. Those three RBI gave Pitts a new career-high. Riley Wright also deserves some recognition as she got her first hit of the season.

Meanwhile, Rutherford made easy work of Rocky Bayou Christian on Tuesday and carried off a 15-5 win. The matchup marked the Rams' most dominant victory of the season so far.

Rutherford let Hailey Cooper and Jaylen Stump run wild. Cooper scored two runs and stole a base while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances, while Stump scored two runs while going 2-for-4. Bella Vazquez was another key player, scoring two runs while going 2-for-3.

Rutherford always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .553. That was just more of the same: they've now posted an OBP of .500 or higher in three consecutive games.

Rutherford is on a roll lately: they've won three of their last four contests. That's provided a massive bump to their 3-3 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.5 runs over those games. Walton's defeat was their seventh straight at home dating back to last season, which dropped their record down to 2-6.

Walton took their win against Rutherford when the teams last played back in May of 2022 by a conclusive 26-4. Will Walton repeat their success, or does Rutherford have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.