Softball Game Preview: Maumee Panthers vs. Otsego Knights

The Maumee Panthers will head out to take on the Otsego Knights at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Maumee is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8 runs per game this season.

Maumee was handed a heart-breaking two-run defeat in their last match, but they sure didn't let that happen against Genoa Area on Friday. The Panthers blew past the Comets 19-8. Considering the Panthers have won nine contests by more than five runs this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.

Julia Coutcher made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Coutcher was also big at the plate, getting on base in four of her five plate appearances with two runs.

In other batting news, Maumee let Jamie Brooks and Reign Hurt run wild. Brooks went 2-for-4 with five RBI, three runs, and one triple, while Hurt went 2-for-4 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs. That's the most runs Brooks has posted since back in April of 2024. Another player making a difference was Autumn Gugger, who went 2-for-4 with two runs, one triple, and two RBI.

Maumee was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .467. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .368 or higher in four consecutive games.

Archbold typically has all the answers at home, but on Friday Otsego proved too difficult a challenge. They came out on top against the Blue Streaks by a score of 5-1.

Maumee now has a winning record of 11-10. As for Otsego, they are on a roll lately: they've won three of their last four matchups. That's provided a nice bump to their 12-6 record this season.

Maumee came out on top in a nail-biter against Otsego in their previous meeting back in April, sneaking past 2-1. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Panthers since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.