Softball Game Preview: Pittsfield Panthers vs. Franklin Tornadoes

Pittsfield is a perfect 9-0 against Franklin since April of 2022 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Tuesday. The Panthers will head out on the road to challenge the Tornadoes at 4:00 p.m. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Pittsfield 0.9, Franklin 3.1) so any runs scored will be well earned.

Pittsfield will bounce into Tuesday's match after beating Newmarket, who they had gone 2-7 against in their nine prior meetings. The Panthers came out on top against the Mules on Monday by a score of 2-1 (the very same score they lost by in their prior game). The home team had taken home the W every time these teams have met since April 12, 2023, but that streak is no more.

Alex Penney

Batters Struck Out

04/21/25 @ Nute	6
05/19/25 vs Farmington	9
05/12/25 @ Epping	10
04/18/25 @ Farmington	11
05/14/25 vs Nute	12

Alex Penney spent all 15 innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned run on four hits and racked up 38 Ks. Those 38 strikeouts set a new season-high mark for her.

On the hitting side, Pittsfield's victory was truly a team effort as four different players contributed at least one hit. One of them was Carly Griffin, who went 1-for-6 with one RBI.

Meanwhile, Franklin entered their game against Portsmouth Christian Academy on Friday without any home losses, but there's a first time for everything. The Tornadoes fell just short of the Eagles by a score of 2-0. The contest marked the first time this year in which the Tornadoes were not able to get on the board.

Franklin's defeat dropped their record down to 10-4. As for Pittsfield, their win ended a three-game drought on the road and puts them at 11-3.

Pittsfield came out on top in a nail-biter against Franklin when the teams last played back in April, sneaking past 2-1. 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.