Softball Game Preview: Superior Panthers vs. Hayden Lobos

Superior is 8-2 against Hayden since April of 2019 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Wednesday. The Panthers are taking a road trip to challenge the Lobos at 2:00 p.m. Superior is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.7 runs per game this season.

Superior made up a huge gap compared to their last game against Ray, but they still couldn't quite topple them. The Panthers blew past the Bearcats 16-4 two weeks ago. The victory was some much needed relief for the Panthers as it spelled an end to their four-game losing streak.

Lessenia Ramirez

Hits (Career)

03/28/25 @ Ray	3
03/25/25 @ San Manuel	2
03/18/25 vs Miami	2
03/10/25 @ Duncan	2

Lessenia Ramirez made a splash while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, tossing five innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off two hits. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring four runs and stealing a base while going 3-for-4. Those three hits gave her a new career-high.

In other batting news, Lilliana Fritz was incredible, scoring three runs and stealing a base while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances. That's the most runs she has posted since back in April of 2024. Another player making a difference was Barbie Ybarra, who got on base in all four of her plate appearances with one triple, one run, and one RBI.

Superior lost a few balls and finished the game with two home runs. That's the most home runs they've managed all season.

Meanwhile, while it was Hayden who put the first runs on the board on Tuesday, it was San Manuel who put up more. The Lobos lost 21-11 to the Miners. While the Lobos didn't get the win, they did start the game off strong, beating the Miners 5-0 in the first period.

This is the second loss in a row for Hayden and nudges their season record down to 10-8. Those losses can't be blamed on the team's hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 12.0 runs over those games. As for Superior, they now have a winning record of 6-5.

Superior couldn't quite get it done against Hayden in their previous meeting back in March as they fell 12-8. Can the Panthers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.