The Knightstown Panthers will take on the Shenandoah Raiders in a tournament on Saturday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Knightstown barely beat Union City the last time the pair played, but that sure wasn't the case this time around. The Panthers' pitchers stepped up to hand the Indians an 11-0 shutout on Friday. Winning may never get old, but the Panthers sure are getting used to it with their fifth in a row.
Kason Weaver
| 05/16/25 @ Union City | 2 |
| 05/07/25 vs Daleville | 2 |
| 04/23/25 vs Alexandria-Monroe | 1 |
| 04/15/25 vs Winchester Community | 1 |
| 04/08/25 @ Eastern Hancock | 1 |
| 04/04/25 @ Muncie Burris | 0 |
Kason Weaver was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, getting on base in two of his three plate appearances with one stolen base and one run.
In other pitching news, Henry Schmidt looked comfortable as he pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been consistent: he hasn't given up more than one walk in seven consecutive appearances.
Back at the plate, Kelton Weaver was incredible, getting on base in all three of his plate appearances with two stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI. Travis Louks was another key player, going 1-for-2 with two RBI and one run.
Meanwhile, Shenandoah had already won seven in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 5.7 runs) and they went ahead and made it eight on Thursday. They put the hurt on the Bearcats with a sharp 13-3 victory.
Kaden Randolph looked comfortable as he pitched three innings while giving up three earned runs off only two hits.
On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Drew Fredenburg, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with one home run, four runs, and two stolen bases. Those four hits gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Collin Osenbaugh, who got on base in three of his five plate appearances with two stolen bases, two runs, and one double.
Shenandoah always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .564. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Muncie Central only posted an OBP of .269.
Shenandoah's win was their 12th straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 15-3. Those home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.2 runs on average over those games. As for Knightstown, their win bumped their record up to 16-3.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Saturday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Knightstown has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.1 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Shenandoah struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.6 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Knightstown skirted past Shenandoah 2-1 when the teams last played back in May of 2024. Will the Panthers repeat their success, or do the Raiders have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
