Softball Game Preview: Hillsboro Hiltoppers vs. Pana Panthers

Hillsboro is preparing for their first conference matchup of the season on Thursday. They will venture away from home to square off against the Pana Panthers at 4:30 p.m. Hillsboro is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.9 runs per game this season.

Hillsboro is headed into the contest having just posted their closest victory since March 30, 2024 on Tuesday. They had just enough and edged out Taylorville 5-4.

Briley Kirby was incredible, scoring three runs and stealing a base while going 4-for-4. That's the most hits she has posted since back in March of 2024. Another player making a difference was Anika Camp, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with two RBI and one double.

Meanwhile, Pana didn't have quite enough to beat Auburn on Tuesday and fell 5-3. The Panthers haven't had much luck with the Trojans recently, as the team has come up short the last three times they've met.

Allie Sarver was cooking despite her team's loss, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 2-for-3. Izzy Reed was another key player, going 2-for-4 with one stolen base and two RBI.

The win got Hillsboro back to even at 4-4. As for Pana, their loss dropped their record down to an identical 4-4.

Fans could be in store for some top-tier slugging on Thursday. Hillsboro hasn't had any problems when it comes to power this season, having averaged 0.9 home runs per game. However, it's not like Pana struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 0.5 home runs. With so much power on both teams, it'll be down to the pitchers to keep the mound locked down.

Hillsboro suffered a grim 12-2 defeat to Pana in their previous matchup back in May of 2024. Can the Hiltoppers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.