Softball Game Preview: Wheeling Central Catholic Maroon Knights vs. Toronto Red Knights

Wheeling Central Catholic is preparing for their first region matchup of the season on Friday. They will head out on the road to challenge the Toronto Red Knights at 5:30 p.m.

Last Wednesday, Wheeling Central Catholic didn't have quite enough to beat University and fell 3-2. The loss put an end to the Maroon Knights' undefeated start to the season.

Toronto never got on the board in their matchup on Tuesday, but that sure wasn't the case in their game against Wellsville on Thursday. They blew past the Tigers 13-3. The Red Knights might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won three matchups by six runs or more this season.

Laney Danko made a big impact while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she struck out six batters over five innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off four hits. Danko was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with two triples, three runs, and one RBI. Those two triples gave her a new career-high.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Adali Mick, who scored a run and stole a base while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances. That stolen base marked the first that she snagged this season. Lily Sapp was another key player, scoring two runs while going 1-for-4.

Toronto always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .515. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.

Having lost for the first time this season, Wheeling Central Catholic fell to 2-1. As for Toronto, they now have a winning record of 3-2.

Wheeling Central Catholic beat Toronto 5-0 when the teams last played back in April of 2024. Will Wheeling Central Catholic repeat their success, or does Toronto has a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.