Paxton-Buckley-Loda has gone a perfect 4-0 against Hoopeston recently and they'll look to pad the win column further on Thursday. The Panthers will head out to square off against the Cornjerkers at 4:30 p.m. Paxton-Buckley-Loda is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.6 runs per game this season.
On Tuesday, Paxton-Buckley-Loda got the win against Watseka by a conclusive 12-5. The win continues a trend for the Panthers in their matchups with the Warriors: they've now won five in a row.
Tyler Cole
Tyler Cole was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching six innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off two hits. Paxton-Buckley-Loda is 4-1 when Cole allows one or fewer earned runs, but 2-3 otherwise. Cole was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 2-for-5. He is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as he's now snagged at least one in each of the last six games he's played.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Dylan Vance, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-3.
Paxton-Buckley-Loda kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Watseka only managed three hits.
Meanwhile, Hoopeston fell victim to Westville and their airtight pitching crew on Monday. They lost 6-0 to the Tigers. The loss continues a trend for the Cornjerkers in their meetings with the Tigers: they've now lost five in a row.
Hoopeston's defeat dropped their record down to 3-9. As for Paxton-Buckley-Loda, their record now sits at 6-4.
Hoopeston's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Paxton-Buckley-Loda has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .432. It's a different story for Hoopeston, though, as they've only averaged .354. Will they be able to contain Paxton-Buckley-Loda's hitters?
Everything went Paxton-Buckley-Loda's way against Hoopeston when the teams last played back in April of 2023, as Paxton-Buckley-Loda made off with a 13-0 victory. Do the Panthers have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Cornjerkers turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
