Park Tudor is a perfect 3-0 against Indianapolis Shortridge since May of 2017 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Tuesday. The Panthers will head out to face off against the Blue Devils at 5:30 p.m. Park Tudor is coming into the matchup hot, having won their last five games.
Park Tudor had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the ten-run drubbing they dealt Covenant Christian on Saturday. The Panthers were the clear victors by an 11-1 margin over the Warriors. That ten run margin sets a new team best for the Panthers this season.
Desmond Francis
| 04/26/25 vs Covenant Christian | 7 |
| 04/17/25 @ North Central | 6 |
| 04/09/25 @ Donelson Christian Academy | 4 |
| 05/25/24 vs Heritage Christian | 2 |
| 05/13/24 @ Indianapolis Bishop Chatard | 6 |
| + 4 more games |
Desmond Francis made a splash while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out seven batters over five innings while giving up just one earned run off four hits. That's the most strikeouts he has posted since back in April of 2024. He was even better at the plate, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances with two stolen bases, four RBI, and two runs. He also hit a triple, marking his first of the season.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on MJ Gaines, who got on base in all four of his plate appearances with four runs. Those four runs gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Derek Ai, who went 2-for-4 with three RBI.
Park Tudor always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .562. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Covenant Christian only posted an OBP of .409.
Meanwhile, after only two runs in their last game, Indianapolis Shortridge made sure to put some runs up on the board against Purdue Broad Ripple on Saturday. The Blue Devils had just enough and edged out the Lynx 14-13. The win was a breath of fresh air for the Blue Devils as it put an end to their five-game losing streak.
Jorge Jobito was incredible, going 2-for-4 with three runs, one triple, and two RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of Josh Sargeant, who went 1-for-4 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI.
Park Tudor pushed their record up to 7-1 with the victory, which was their ninth straight at home dating back to last season. Those home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.1 runs over those games. As for Indianapolis Shortridge, the victory was their first at home , bumping their record up to 2-6.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Park Tudor has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Indianapolis Shortridge struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.5 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Everything went Park Tudor's way against Indianapolis Shortridge in their previous matchup back in May of 2023, as Park Tudor made off with a 15-0 win. Do the Panthers have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Blue Devils turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
