Softball Game Preview: Shenango Wildcats vs. Laurel Spartans

Shenango is 1-9 against Laurel since April of 2019 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Friday. The Wildcats will look to defend their home field against the Spartans at 4:00 p.m. Shenango is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.1 runs per game this season.

Shenango had been on a three-game streak of scoring at least ten runs, but Neshannock put an end to it on Wednesday. The Wildcats came up short against the Lancers, falling 6-0.

Meanwhile, Laurel never let their opponents score on Wednesday. Everything went their way against Aliquippa as they made off with a 15-0 victory. The result was nothing new for the Spartans, who have now won three matches by 11 runs or more so far this season.

The team relied heavily on Maddie Evans, who scored two runs while going 3-for-3. The team also got some help courtesy of Mayci Lang, who scored three runs and stole a base while going 1-for-2.

Evans wasn't the only one making solid contact: Laurel kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. The Spartans are 4-1 when they post 11 or more hits.

The win made it two in a row for Laurel and bumps their season record up to 5-3. The victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered a grand total of 0 runs in those games. As for Shenango, their loss was their first in the conference, dropping their conference record down to 3-1 and their overall record down to 5-5.

The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Shenango has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Laurel struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.1 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.

Shenango suffered a grim 12-1 defeat to Laurel in their previous meeting back in April of 2024. Can the Wildcats avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.