Softball Game Preview: LeRoy Panthers vs. Prairie Central Hawks

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Previous 3 Games

05/04/24 - Home	12-9 W
05/06/23 - Home	5-2 W
04/12/22 - Home	9-8 W

LeRoy has gone a perfect 3-0 against Prairie Central recently and they'll look to pad the win column further on Saturday. The Panthers will host the Hawks at 10:00 a.m. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.

LeRoy's pitching crew heads into the contest hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Thursday. They were the clear victors by a 15-0 margin over Hoopeston. The Panthers have beaten the Cornjerkers the last six times they've met, but they better watch out: this was the closest the Cornjerkers has come to flipping the script.

Meanwhile, after only one run in their last game, Prairie Central made sure to put some runs up on the board against Fieldcrest on Friday. The Hawks blew past the Knights 21-3.

Dixie Hogan was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, tossing two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in ten consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, getting on base in all four of her plate appearances with two RBI, one run, and one double. That's the most RBI she has posted since back in March.

In other batting news, Sam Slagel was a standout: she got on base in three of her five plate appearances with four runs, one stolen base, and one double. That's the most runs she has posted since back in March. The team also got some help courtesy of Kyah Creek, who got on base in four of her five plate appearances with three runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.

Prairie Central always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .750. They are a perfect 8-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.

LeRoy's win bumped their record up to 25-4. As for Prairie Central, the victory got them back to even at 14-14.

LeRoy was able to grind out a solid win over Prairie Central in their previous meeting back in May of 2024, winning 12-9. Do the Panthers have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Hawks turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.