Softball Game Preview: Kokomo Wildkats vs. Western Panthers

Wildkats

Runs

05/03/25 vs North Central	6
05/01/25 vs Lafayette Jefferson	18
04/29/25 @ Pendleton Heights	5
04/26/25 vs Roncalli	2
04/26/25 vs Bellmont	4
+ 10 more games

The Kokomo Wildkats will square off against the Western Panthers at 5:00 p.m. on Monday. Kokomo is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8 runs per game this season.

While Kokomo's win against North Central wasn't quite the blowout it was the last time the pair played, they still came out on top. The Wildkats sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 6-5 victory over the Panthers on Saturday. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Wildkats.

Emma Lees spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and two unearned) runs on four hits.

At the plate, the team relied heavily on Lanaya Buckner, who went 1-for-2 with one home run and three RBI. Kinley Martin was another key player, going 1-for-2 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.

Meanwhile, Western entered their tilt with Mishawaka on Saturday with two consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with three. They were the clear victors by a 16-1 margin over the Cavemen. The Panthers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won 11 matches by seven runs or more this season.

Kokomo pushed their record up to 9-6 with the win, which was their third straight at home. The home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.7 runs over those games. As for Western, their win bumped their record up to 16-3.

Kokomo suffered a grim 12-3 defeat to Western in their previous matchup back in April of 2024. Will the Wildkats have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other softball content.