Softball Game Preview: Lake Forest Spartans vs. Polytech Panthers

The Lake Forest Spartans will square off against the Polytech Panthers at 4:15 p.m. on Thursday. Lake Forest's pitching crew has only allowed three runs per game this season, so Polytech's hitters will have their work cut out for them.

Lake Forest is probably headed into the game with a chip on their shoulder considering Sussex Tech just ended the team's nine-game winning streak on Friday. They fell just short of the Ravens by a score of 3-2.

Meanwhile, Polytech faced Red Lion Christian Academy in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Tuesday. The Panthers blew past the Lions 11-1. The result was nothing new for the Panthers, who have now won seven contests by six runs or more so far this season.

Riley Merritt looked comfortable as she tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive appearances.

At the plate, Polytech got a massive performance out of Kylie VanHorn, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with three runs, two RBI, and one double. That's the most runs VanHorn has posted since back in May of 2025. The team also got some help courtesy of Emma Shelton, who got on base in three of her four plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and one double.

Polytech is on a roll lately: they've won four of their last five matchups. That's provided a nice bump to their 10-4 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.4 runs over those games. As for Lake Forest, their defeat dropped their record down to 9-2.

Everything went Lake Forest's way against Polytech when the teams last played back in April of 2025, as Lake Forest made off with an 8-0 victory. Do the Spartans have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Panthers turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.