Softball Game Preview: Laurel Spartans vs. Aliquippa Quips

The Laurel Spartans will challenge the Aliquippa Quips at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Laurel is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 9.6 runs per game this season.

Laurel's pitching crew heads into the game hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Monday. They blew past Freedom Area 19-0. The Spartans haven't had any issues with the Bulldogs recently, as the game was their eighth consecutive victory against them.

Ivy Pancher

Stolen Base

04/07/25 @ Freedom Area	3
04/02/25 @ Neshannock	2
03/27/25 vs Beaver	1
03/24/25 vs Mohawk Area	1
03/21/25 @ New Castle	2
03/18/25 vs Mercer	1

Ivy Pancher was a standout: she went 2-for-3 with three stolen bases, three runs, and three RBI. She has been hot, having posted at least one stolen base the last six times she's played. Another player making a difference was Mayci Lang, who got on base in all four of her plate appearances with one home run, four runs, and three RBI.

Pancher wasn't the only one making solid contact: Laurel kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. The Spartans are 3-1 when they post 11 or more hits.

Meanwhile, Aliquippa was not able to break out of their rough patch on Monday as the team picked up their ninth straight defeat dating back to last season. They might be feeling deja-vu: they lost 15-0 to Neshannock, which was the same score (and result) they got the week prior.

Laurel now has a winning record of 4-3. As for Aliquippa, their loss dropped their record down to 0-3.

Aliquippa's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Laurel hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .360. It's a different story for Aliquippa, though, as they've only averaged .037. Will they be able to contain Laurel's hitters?

Laurel took their win against Aliquippa in their previous meeting back in April of 2019 by a conclusive 15-0 score. Will the Spartans repeat their success, or do the Quips have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.