Softball Game Preview: Cypress Lake Panthers vs. Palmetto Ridge Bears

The Cypress Lake Panthers will venture away from home to challenge the Palmetto Ridge Bears at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Cypress Lake is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.8 runs per game this season.

On Tuesday, Cypress Lake beat Bonita Springs 10-6. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Panthers.

Audrina Westland spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered six runs (all of which were unearned) on nine hits and racked up nine Ks. Those nine strikeouts set a new season-high mark for her.

Mackenzy Stouffer

Hits (Career)

04/01/25 vs Bonita Springs	3
02/24/25 @ Gateway	2
03/25/24 vs North Fort Myers	2
03/06/25 @ Estero	1
04/29/24 vs Gateway	1

On the hitting side, Cypress Lake got a massive performance out of Mackenzy Stouffer, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 3-for-4. Those three hits gave Stouffer a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Maisy Vogel, who scored three runs and stole three bases while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances.

Meanwhile, Palmetto Ridge got the win against Old Forge on Friday by a conclusive 12-4. The result was nothing new for the Bears, who have now won five matchups by eight runs or more so far this season.

Rebecca Razzano was a standout: she scored three runs and stole a base while going 3-for-4. Skyler Howell also deserves some recognition as she hit her first triple of the season.

Palmetto Ridge kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 13 hits. They are 5-2 when they post 11 or more hits.

Palmetto Ridge now has a winning record of 6-5. As for Cypress Lake, their record is now 4-6.

The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Thursday as neither team is afraid to steal. Cypress Lake has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 5 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Palmetto Ridge struggles in that department as they've been averaging 2.9 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.

Cypress Lake couldn't quite get it done against Palmetto Ridge in their previous matchup back in April of 2024 as they fell 6-1. Can the Panthers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.