The Knightstown Panthers will head out on the road to face off against the Triton Central Tigers at 5:00 p.m. on Monday. Knightstown is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.4 runs per game this season.
Knightstown was handed a ten-run loss in their previous outing, but that didn't affect their clutch gene on Friday. They narrowly escaped with a victory as the team sidled past Franklin County 8-6. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Panthers have posted since April 17th.
Mae Hersberger spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered four earned (and two unearned) runs on seven hits and racked up 11 Ks. Those 11 strikeouts set a new season-high mark for her.
Dylan Fausnaugh
| 05/02/25 vs Franklin County | 3 |
| 04/30/25 vs South Decatur | 2 |
| 04/25/25 @ Cowan | 2 |
| 04/10/25 vs Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory | 2 |
| 05/01/25 vs Connersville | 1 |
On the hitting side, Dylan Fausnaugh was incredible, going a perfect 3-for-3 with four stolen bases, three runs, and two RBI. Those three hits gave her a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Jaycie Cole, who went 2-for-4 with two runs and one stolen base.
Knightstown always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .556. They are a perfect 4-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
Lebanon typically has all the answers at home, but on Saturday Triton Central proved too difficult a challenge. They were the clear victors by a 10-2 margin over Lebanon. Considering Triton Central has won seven contests by more than seven runs this season, Saturday's blowout was nothing new.
Triton Central let Jayda McKee and Olivia Schaadt run wild. McKee went 2-for-3 with two runs, two RBI, and one double, while Schaadt went a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBI, one run, and one double. Ashlyn Hittle was another key player, going 2-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
The victory (which was Triton Central's third in a row) raised their record to 11-2. The wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.0 run on average over those games. As for Knightstown, the victory got them back to even at 7-7.
Both Knightstown and Triton Central just can't seem to miss. The Panthers have been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 9.4 hits per game. However, it's not like Triton Central struggles in that department as they've been averaging only 4.6 hits. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Knightstown couldn't quite get it done against Triton Central in their previous matchup back in May of 2024 as they fell 5-0. Can the Panthers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
