The Pittsfield Panthers will take on the Epping Blue Devils at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Pittsfield is currently enjoying a perfect season and no doubt wants to keep things rolling.
Pittsfield barely beat Wilton-Lyndeborough the last time the pair played, but that sure wasn't the case this time around. The Panthers' pitcher stepped up to hand the Warriors a 22-0 shutout on Wednesday. The result was nothing new for the Panthers, who have now won four matchups by 15 runs or more so far this season.
Alex Penney made a splash while hitting and pitching. She didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit while striking out 14 over five innings pitched. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up a single earned run any time she's pitched this season. She was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three runs, three RBI, and one stolen base.
In other batting news, Pittsfield got a massive performance out of Nika Pereira, who got on base in four of her five plate appearances with three runs, three RBI, and one double. Those three RBI gave Pereira a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Chelsee Chagnon, who went 3-for-4 with three runs, three RBI, and one stolen base.
Pittsfield was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .633. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .333 or higher in three consecutive contests.
Meanwhile, Epping fought the good fight in their extra-innings game against Newmarket on Wednesday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Mules by a score of 5-4. The matchup marked the Blue Devils' lowest-scoring contest so far this season.
Pittsfield's win was their fourth straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 5-0. The road victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 18.3 runs over those games. As for Epping, their loss was their first of the season and makes their record 4-1.
Friday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Pittsfield hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .444. However, it's not like Epping struggles in that department as they've averaged .386. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Pittsfield was able to grind out a solid win over Epping in their previous meeting back in May of 2024, winning 4-0. Will the Panthers repeat their success, or do the Blue Devils have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
