The Penn Cambria Panthers will take on the Bishop Guilfoyle Marauders at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Penn Cambria will be strutting in after a win while Bishop Guilfoyle will be coming in after a defeat.
Penn Cambria will bounce into Friday's matchup after beating Richland, who they had gone 2-7 against in their nine prior meetings. The Panthers narrowly escaped with a victory as the team sidled past the Rams 10-8. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Panthers have posted against the Rams since April 24, 2017.
Ryan Hanlon was a major factor no matter where he played. On the mound, he pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. Hanlon was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring four runs and stealing two bases while going 2-for-4. That's the most stolen bases he has posted since back in April of 2024.
In other pitching news, Drake Talko looked comfortable as he tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off three hits.
Back at the plate, Corbin Vinglish was excellent, going 3-for-4 with three RBI and one stolen base. That's the most hits he has posted since back in March of 2024. Caden Gibbons was another key player, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 1-for-3.
Meanwhile, Tuesday just wasn't the day for Bishop Guilfoyle's offense. They came up short against Central on Tuesday, falling 14-0. The game marked the first time this season in which the Marauders were not able to get on the board.
Bishop Guilfoyle saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Michael Cacciotti, who went 1-for-2 with one double. That double was Cacciotti's first of the season.
Bishop Guilfoyle's loss dropped their record down to 1-4. As for Penn Cambria, their victory ended a seven-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 2-1.
Penn Cambria's speedy runners might be the difference in Friday's contest. The Panthers have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 6.7 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Bishop Guilfoyle, though, as they've been averaging only 0.2 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Penn Cambria continue to outrun the ball?
Penn Cambria couldn't quite get it done against Bishop Guilfoyle when the teams last played back in April of 2023 as they fell 7-3. Can the Panthers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.