Preview: Excel Panthers vs. Wicksburg Panthers
The Excel Panthers will be staying on the road on Monday to face off against the Wicksburg Panthers at 10:45 a.m. Both teams come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Excel was not the first on the board on Friday, but they got there more often. They came out on top against Blacksher by a score of 7-3. The victory was just what Excel needed coming off of a 14-0 defeat in their prior match.
Will Thomas and Kolby Sirmon made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, Thomas pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Sirmon tossed four innings while giving up three earned runs off three hits (he also only allowed one walk). At bat, Thomas scored a run and stole two bases while going 2-for-4, while Sirmon scored a run while getting on base in three of his five plate appearances.
They weren't the only ones making solid contact as four players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Mattox Dailey, who scored two runs while going 1-for-3.
Meanwhile, Wicksburg waltzed into their contest on Monday with 11 straight wins... but they left with 12. Their pitcher stepped up to hand the Bulldogs a 10-0 shutout. The result was nothing new for Wicksburg, who have now won seven matchups by eight runs or more so far this season.
The result came thanks to Drew Colon's shutout, as he gave up just zero hits and racked up 18 Ks. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in six consecutive pitching appearances.
At the plate, Gabe Glover was incredible, scoring three runs and stealing five bases while going 2-for-4. He is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as he's now stolen at least one in the last 12 games he's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Easton Dean, who scored a run and stole a base while going 1-for-2.
Excel's record now sits at 8-5. As for Wicksburg, they pushed their record up to 13-2 with that win, which was their sixth straight at home.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both teams have some strikeout artists on the roster. Excel has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Wicksburg struggles in that department as they've been averaging 10.9 per game. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Excel might still be hurting after the 7-0 loss they got from Wicksburg when the teams last played back in April of 2018. Can Excel avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
