Softball Game Preview: Ontario Warriors vs. Shelby Whippets

For the second straight game, Ontario will face off against Shelby. The Warriors will welcome the Whippets at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday. Ontario is on an eight-game streak of home wins (dating back to last season), Shelby a three-game streak of away wins, meaning someone's leaving a streak behind.

Ontario let Shelby stack five runs on them in the third inning on Wednesday but luckily Ontario prevailed anyway. The Warriors came out on top against the Whippets by a score of 9-5. The game was the first time the Warriors have beaten the Whippets on their field since May 11, 2022.

Morgan Pearson

Hits (Career)

05/07/25 @ Shelby	4
04/22/25 @ Pleasant	3
04/12/25 vs Wheeling Central Catholic	3
04/11/25 @ Williamstown	3
04/09/25 @ Clear Fork	2

Eden Howard and Morgan Pearson were major factors while hitting and pitching. Throwing, Howard pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs off three hits. Meanwhile, Pearson didn't allow a single earned run over four innings pitched. Howard has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive appearances. At the plate, Howard went 3-for-5 with one run, while Pearson went 4-for-5 with one home run and two RBI. Those four hits gave Pearson a new career-high.

In other batting news, Ellie Dawson was incredible, going 2-for-4 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. She is on a roll when it comes to home runs, as she's now launched at least one in each of the last three games she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Kennedy Weiler, who went 1-for-4 with one home run and two runs.

Ontario kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 16 hits. They are a perfect 11-0 when they post 11 or more hits.

Ontario is on a roll lately: they've won 11 of their last 12 matches. That's provided a massive bump to their 15-6 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.4 runs on average over those games. As for Shelby, their loss dropped their record down to 14-9.

Shelby's hitters will have their work cut out for them on Thursday. Ontario has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.8 strikeouts per game. It's a different story for Shelby, though, as they've been averaging only 2.3 strikeouts. Will Ontario keep running through batters, or will the Whippets buck the trend? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.