Springfield and Norton are an even 3-3 against one another since May of 2022, but likely not for long. The Spartans will be playing in front of their home fans against the Panthers at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Springfield is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.6 runs per game this season.
While Springfield's win against Coventry wasn't quite the blowout it was the last time the pair played, they still came out on top. The Spartans narrowly escaped with a victory as the team sidled past the Comets 3-1. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Spartans have posted since May 8, 2024.
Joey Klein spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned run on eight hits. She has been consistent : she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in five consecutive appearances.
Melaena Martin
| 04/16/25 vs Coventry | 2 |
| 04/03/25 @ Streetsboro | 1 |
| 03/24/25 vs Clay County | 1 |
| 05/16/24 vs Firelands | 1 |
| 05/16/24 @ Firelands | 1 |
At the plate, Melaena Martin and Bre Ruggiero did most of the damage at the plate: Martin went 2-for-3 with two doubles, while Ruggiero scored a run while going 1-for-3. Those two doubles gave Martin a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Kendall Crytzer, who scored a run and stole a base while going 2-for-4.
Springfield hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. They are a perfect 4-0 when they post two or more strikeouts.
Meanwhile, Norton was able to grind out a solid victory over Cloverleaf on Wednesday, taking the game 6-3. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Panthers.
Alyssa Messer was a major factor no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out seven batters over seven innings while giving up three earned runs off six hits (and only one walk). Messer was also big at the plate, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 2-for-4.
In other batting news, Addison Calo was excellent, going 2-for-4 with two runs, one triple, and one RBI. That triple marked the first that she hit this season. Another player making a difference was Tatum Harris, who scored a run while going 2-for-3.
Springfield's win bumped their record up to 6-4. As for Norton, they now have a winning record of 4-3.
Everything went Springfield's way against Norton in their previous matchup back in May of 2024, as Springfield made off with a 14-4 victory. Will the Spartans repeat their success, or do the Panthers have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
