The Prairie Heights Panthers will challenge the Lakeland Lakers at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. The two teams each escaped (but just barely!) with wins against their previous opponents.
Prairie Heights is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Wednesday. They skirted past Central Noble 7-6. The win was a breath of fresh air for the Panthers as it put an end to their four-game losing streak.
Joel Graber
| 04/19/25 vs Woodlan | 6 |
| 04/29/25 @ Churubusco | 4 |
| 04/16/25 @ Bronson | 4 |
| 05/10/25 @ Elkhart Christian Academy | 3 |
| 05/07/25 vs Fort Wayne Canterbury | 3 |
| + 6 more games |
Joel Graber made a splash no matter where he played. On the mound, he struck out six batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit (and only one walk). He also tossed a walk, which is notable because Prairie Heights is 2-1 when he allows at most one walk, but 5-17 otherwise. Graber was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Lakyn Duke, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI. He has become a key player for Prairie Heights: the team is 4-1 when he posts at least two runs, but 3-17 otherwise. Austin Abbott was another key player, going 2-for-4 with three RBI and one double.
Meanwhile, Lakeland entered their tilt with Eastside on Wednesday with eight consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with nine. They came within a single run of losing the streak, but they secured a 2-1 W against the Blazers.
Like Prairie Heights, Lakeland also got a great game from a two-way player: Garrett Pieri. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing four innings while giving up just one earned run off four hits. Pieri has been consistent for a while: he hasn't given up more than two walks in 12 consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two doubles, one stolen base, and one run. That's the most doubles he has posted since back in April.
In other batting news, Levi Cook was excellent, going 2-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one double.
Prairie Heights' record now sits at 7-18. As for Lakeland, their record is now 24-4.
Prairie Heights might still be hurting after the 13-0 loss they got from Lakeland when the teams last played back in April. Can the Panthers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
