The Polytechnic Panthers will face off against the Providence Pioneers at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. The two teams each escaped (but just barely!) with wins against their previous opponents.
On Tuesday, Polytechnic needed a bit of extra time to put away Mayfield. They came out on top in a nail-biter against the Cubs, sneaking past 8-6. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Panthers have posted against the Cubs since April 2, 2019.
Amelia Shih
| 04/15/25 @ Mayfield | 6 |
| 04/12/25 vs South Pasadena | 10 |
| 04/11/25 vs Chadwick | 5 |
Amelia Shih spent all ten innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned (and four unearned) runs on six hits and racked up six Ks. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in three consecutive appearances.
At the plate, the team relied heavily on Eila Chan, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 3-for-4. The team also got some help courtesy of Kate Asperger, who scored a run and stole a base while going 2-for-5.
Chan wasn't the only one making solid contact: Polytechnic kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least eight hits in six consecutive contests.
Meanwhile, Providence posted their closest victory since May 2, 2024 on Tuesday. They skirted past Bishop Alemany 8-6. The Pioneers haven't had any issues with the Warriors recently, as the game was their third consecutive win against them.
Madelynn Watts was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run over seven innings pitched. Watts was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs while going 2-for-4.
In other batting news, Gloria Galindo was incredible, scoring two runs while going 3-for-3. She also hit a double, marking her first of the season. Evangelina Aleman was another key player, going 2-for-4 with three RBI, one stolen base, and one double.
Polytechnic's victory was their fifth straight on the road dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 7-4. Those road wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 14.0 runs over those games. As for Providence, they now have a winning record of 4-3.
Thursday's matchup will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Polytechnic hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .336. However, it's not like Providence struggles in that department as they've averaged .389. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Polytechnic might still be hurting after the 11-0 defeat they got from Providence when the teams last played back in April of 2024. Will the Panthers have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other softball content.
