The Masuk Panthers will face off against the Joel Barlow Falcons at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Masuk is coming into the contest hot, having won their last four games.
It was a proper cat-fight when Masuk took on Kolbe-Cathedral on Thursday. The Panthers came out on top against the Cougars by a score of 6-3.
Masuk got a great performance from Henry Barba as he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits over five innings pitched. What's more, Barba posted three strikeouts, the most he's had since back in April.
At the plate, Chris Welch was incredible, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two stolen bases, two RBI, and one double. Jackson Zylick was another key player, going 1-for-3 with one home run and two RBI.
Meanwhile, Joel Barlow faced Bethel in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Wednesday. The Falcons fell just short of the Wildcats by a score of 4-2. The Falcons were red-hot at the plate heading into the game (they scored no less than ten runs in the three matches prior), but the Wildcats' pitchers proved too tough.
Joel Barlow saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was TJ Baer, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with two stolen bases. Baer is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as he's now snagged at least one in each of the last three games he's played. Another was Billy Bardani, who went 3-for-4 with one RBI.
Masuk's victory bumped their record up to 11-7. As for Joel Barlow, their loss ended a nine-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 15-3.
Saturday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Masuk hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .325. However, it's not like Joel Barlow struggles in that department as they've averaged .336. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Masuk couldn't quite get it done against Joel Barlow in their previous meeting back in April of 2024 as they fell 4-0. Will the Panthers have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
