Softball Game Preview: Corona Panthers vs. Katella Knights

The Corona Panthers will face off against the Katella Knights at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday. The two teams are sauntering into the matchup backed by comfortable wins in their prior games.

Katella will face off against a team with plenty of momentum: Corona extended their winning streak to three on Tuesday. The Panthers blew past San Marino 13-2. While the Panthers didn't have the best season last year (they finished 5-22), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past.

Meanwhile, after only two runs in their last game, Katella made sure to put some runs up on the board against Costa Mesa on Monday. The Knights put the hurt on the Mustangs with a sharp 16-7 win.

Jackie Morelos and Dani Neville were a major factor no matter where they played. Throwing, Morelos pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Meanwhile, Neville struck out eight batters over five innings while giving up six earned (and one unearned) runs off seven hits (and only one walk). Morelos has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two hits in three consecutive appearances. At bat, Morelos scored a run and stole two bases while going 1-for-3, while Neville got on base in all five of her plate appearances with one home run, four RBI, and two runs. What's more, Neville posted two doubles, the most she's had since back in February of 2024.

In other batting news, Krystal Barrios was incredible, firing off two home runs, three runs, and four RBI while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances. Those four RBI gave her a new career-high. Nataly Rodarte was another key player, going 2-for-4 with three runs, one triple, and two RBI.

Corona's victory bumped their record up to 9-4. As for Katella, the win got them back to even at 6-6.