Softball Game Preview: Prairie Central Hawks vs. LeRoy Panthers

Prairie Central is 0-3 against LeRoy since April of 2022 but things could change on Saturday. The Hawks will head out to face off against the Panthers at 10:00 a.m. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.

Prairie Central will roll into the contest after a wild two-game stretch: they only put up one run on Monday, then bounced right back against Fieldcrest on Friday. The Hawks put the hurt on the Knights with a sharp 21-3 win. The Hawks have beaten the Knights the last five times they've met, but they better watch out: this was the closest the Knights has come to flipping the script.

Dixie Hogan made a splash no matter where she played. She tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in ten consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in all four of her plate appearances with two RBI, one run, and one double. That's the most RBI she has posted since back in March.

In other batting news, Sam Slagel was a standout: she got on base in three of her five plate appearances with four runs, one stolen base, and one double. That's the most runs she has posted since back in March. Kyah Creek was another key player, getting on base in four of her five plate appearances with three runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.

Prairie Central kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least eight hits in four consecutive matchups.

The home team had won the previous three meetings between LeRoy and Hoopeston, and LeRoy kept the tradition alive. The Panthers' pitchers stepped up to hand the Cornjerkers a 15-0 shutout on Thursday.

LeRoy's record now sits at 25-4. As for Prairie Central, the victory got them back to even at 14-14.

Prairie Central came up short against LeRoy when the teams last played back in May of 2024, falling 12-9. Can the Hawks avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.