Central is 0-10 against Lecanto since April of 2018 but things could change on Friday. The Central Bears will look to defend their home field against the Lecanto Panthers at 7:00 p.m.
Central is headed into Friday's matchup looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their fifth straight game on Thursday. They came up short against Pasco, falling 10-1.
Ayva Frechette was cooking despite her team's loss, going 2-for-3 with one triple, one run, and one double.
The home team had come away the winner the last five times Lecanto and Citrus had met, but sadly for the fans who attended this one that wasn't the case. Lecanto came out on top against Citrus by a score of 6-1 on Tuesday. The game was the first time the Panthers have beaten the Hurricanes on their field since April 9, 2021.
Abigail Males made a big impact no matter where she played. She struck out 11 batters over seven innings while giving up just one earned run off three hits. Males was also stellar in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with three stolen bases, two runs, and one triple. Those three stolen bases gave her a new career-high.
Males wasn't the only one making solid contact as seven players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Justeen Wilson, who scored a run and stole a base while going 2-for-4. That stolen base was Wilson's first of the season. Another was Shawna Griffin, who scored a run and stole a base while going 1-for-4.
Lecanto kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. They are 2-1 when they post 11 or more hits.
Lecanto's victory ended a five-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 3-6. As for Central, their defeat dropped their record down to 2-5.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Central has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.3 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Lecanto struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Central might still be hurting after the 11-1 loss they got from Lecanto when the teams last played back in April of 2024. Will Central have more luck at home instead of on the road? Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other softball content.
