Softball Recap: Sickles Comes Up Short

Gryphons

Previous 5 Games

03/12/26 vs Plant	7-8
03/11/26 @ Clearwater	2-1
03/10/26 vs Freedom	16-1
03/03/26 @ Brandon	20-1
02/26/26 vs Plant City	4-6

Sickles dropped down to 4-4 on Thursday, ending the team's three-game streak of wins. They fell just short of the Plant Panthers by a score of 8-7. The result was an unpleasant reminder to the Gryphons of the 8-6 defeat they experienced in the pair's previous head-to-head fixture back in February of 2025.

Sickles got a good showing from Lauren Larsen, who didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit over four innings pitched. Larsen has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two hits any time she's pitched this season.

At the plate, Taylor Morrissey made the most of her time in the batter's box despite the final result and went 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBI. Another player making a difference was Dallas Thompson, who went 1-for-3 with one triple and one run.

As for Plant, the victory (which was their fourth in a row) raised their record to 7-1. They've had to fight for that success though, as they only beat their opponents by an average of 3.5 runs across that stretch.

On Plant's side, Summer Wood looked comfortable as she tossed three innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off five hits. What's more, Wood posted two strikeouts, the most she's had since back in April of 2025.

On the hitting side, Plant let Olive Masters and Shelise Johnson run wild. Masters went 1-for-2 with two runs and one triple, while Johnson went 2-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one double. The team also got some help courtesy of Kate Compton, who went 1-for-4 with two runs and one double.

Sickles and Plant will both get a bit of extra prep time before their next matchups. The next time the Gryphons see the field they'll take on Seminole at 7:00 p.m. on the 23rd. As for Plant, their break will end when they face Steinbrenner at 7:00 p.m. on the 24th.