Chesapeake is 0-9 against Ironton since April of 2018 but things could change on Monday. The Panthers will be playing at home against the Fighting Tigers at 5:30 p.m. Chesapeake is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.3 runs per game this season.
Chesapeake is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They were the clear victors by a 19-9 margin over Grace Christian on Saturday. That's two games straight that the Panthers have won by exactly ten runs.
Haylee Lafon
| 04/26/25 @ Grace Christian | 11 |
| 03/26/25 @ Green | 8 |
| 04/16/25 @ Gallia Academy | 6 |
| 03/24/25 vs Green | 6 |
| 04/09/25 vs Fairland | 5 |
Haylee Lafon made a splash while hitting and pitching. She struck out 11 batters over seven innings while giving up three earned (and six unearned) runs off 11 hits. Those 11 strikeouts gave her a new career-high. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run.
In other batting news, Jaeden Anderson was incredible, going a perfect 4-for-4 with three stolen bases, four runs, and five RBI. Those five RBI gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was KJ Collins, who went 2-for-3 with five stolen bases and three runs.
Meanwhile, Ironton came tearing into Thursday's match with five straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 8.2 runs), and they left with even more momentum. They came within a single run of losing the streak, but they secured a 3-2 W against the Eagles. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Fighting Tigers have posted since March 31st.
Ava Bihl spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned runs on six hits and racked up 11 Ks. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in 11 consecutive appearances.
At the plate, the team relied heavily on Braegan Thomas, who went 2-for-3 with one triple and one run. That triple marked the first that she has hit this season. The team also got some help courtesy of Jenna Compliment, who went 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI.
The victory made it two in a row for Chesapeake and bumps their season record up to 6-12. The wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 18.5 runs over those games. As for Ironton, their victory bumped their record up to 15-3.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Monday as neither team is afraid to steal. Chesapeake has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 2.7 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Ironton struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 3.6 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Chesapeake might still be hurting after the 17-0 loss they got from Ironton in their previous matchup on April 11th. Will the Panthers have more luck at home instead of on the road? Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other softball content.
