Baseball Game Preview: Lane Tech Champions vs. Von Steuben Panthers

For the second straight game, Lane Tech will face off against Von Steuben. The Champions will be playing at home against the Panthers at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Lane Tech had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the ten-run drubbing they dealt Von Steuben on Tuesday. The Champions blew past the Panthers 14-4. The win continues a trend for the Champions in their matchups with the Panthers: they've now won four in a row.

Ronan Owens

Batters Struck Out (Career)

04/08/25 @ Von Steuben	6
03/22/25 vs Chicago Mt. Carmel	3
04/15/24 vs Payton College Prep	3
03/28/25 vs Teays Valley	2
05/08/24 vs Chicago Washington	2

Ronan Owens tossed a big game, not allowing a single earned run while striking out six over six innings pitched. Those six strikeouts gave him a new career-high.

At the plate, Lane Tech got a massive performance out of Tyler Trapp, who scored three runs and stole three bases while going 3-for-5. Trapp has become a key player for the Champions: the team is 4-1 when he posts at least two runs, but 1-5 otherwise. The team also got some help courtesy of Matt Young, who scored three runs and stole a base while going 3-for-4.

Lane Tech was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .463. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Von Steuben only posted a batting average of .160.

Lane Tech's victory was their fifth straight on the road dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 5-6. Those road wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.4 runs on average over those games. As for Von Steuben, their defeat dropped their record down to 5-3-2.

The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Lane Tech has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Von Steuben struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 7.8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one. Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.