The Dwyer Panthers will take on the Seminole Ridge Hawks at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Dwyer fought the good fight in their extra-innings game against Jupiter on Wednesday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Warriors by a score of 7-6. The Panthers' loss signaled the end of their three-game winning streak.
Maddy Lowdermilk was huge while hitting and pitching even without the win. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching four innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off four hits. The dominant performance also gave her a new career-low in walks (zero). She was also big at the plate, getting on base in four of her six plate appearances.
In other batting news, Fatima Masri and Sierra Cook did some serious damage despite the final result: Masri fired off four doubles and three RBI while going 5-for-6, while Cook went 2-for-6 with one home run, three runs, and two RBI.
Meanwhile, with a playoff win on the line, Seminole Ridge rose to the challenge on Monday. Their pitchers stepped up to hand the Tigers a 9-0 shutout. The Hawks might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won 11 contests by eight runs or more this season.
Like Dwyer, Seminole Ridge also got a great game from a two-way player: Zarah Lee. On the mound, she tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Lee was also solid in the batter's box, going a perfect 1-for-1 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.
In other batting news, Haven Berryhill was incredible, going a perfect 4-for-4 with four stolen bases, two runs, and one double. Ary Nord was another key player, going 2-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double.
Seminole Ridge was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .500. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .310 or higher in seven consecutive matchups.
Seminole Ridge has been performing incredibly well recently as they've won seven of their last eight games. That's provided a nice bump to their 14-7 record this season. The wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.0 runs over those games. As for Dwyer, they now have a losing record of 11-12.
Wednesday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Dwyer hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .324. However, it's not like Seminole Ridge struggles in that department as they've averaged .362. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Dwyer beat Seminole Ridge 11-6 in their previous matchup back in February. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Panthers since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
