The Shoreland Lutheran Pacers will face off against the Wilmot Panthers at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Shoreland Lutheran is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.2 runs per game this season.
Shoreland Lutheran took a loss when they played away from home on Tuesday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Thursday. They were the clear victors by a 14-6 margin over Martin Luther. The high-flying hitting performance was a huge turnaround for the Pacers considering their one-run performance the matchup before.
Michael Curran
| 05/01/25 vs Martin Luther | 7 |
| 04/23/25 vs St. Catherine's | 6 |
| 04/16/25 vs St. Thomas More | 4 |
| 04/12/25 vs Kettle Moraine Lutheran | 1 |
| 04/05/25 @ Milwaukee King | 7 |
Michael Curran made a big impact while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he struck out seven batters over five innings while giving up four earned (and one unearned) runs off three hits. That's the most strikeouts he has posted since back in April. He was also big at the plate, going 2-for-5 with two runs and two RBI. He has become a key player for Shoreland Lutheran: the team is undefeated when he posts at least two runs, but 5-6-1 otherwise.
In other pitching news, Eli Schneider looked comfortable as he tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two hits in three consecutive appearances.
Back at the plate, Ian Bigelow and James Craig did most of the damage at the plate: Bigelow went 3-for-4 with two stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI, while Craig went 2-for-5 with four RBI, one stolen base, and one run. Those two runs gave Bigelow a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Colton Morrow, who went 2-for-4 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.
Shoreland Lutheran kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 13 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, Wilmot lost 8-1 to Elkhorn on Monday. The Panthers haven't had much luck with the Elks recently, as the team has come up short the last four times they've met.
Wilmot saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Chance Ruby, who went 1-for-3 with one run and one double.
Wilmot's loss dropped their record down to 6-9. As for Shoreland Lutheran, their victory bumped their record up to 9-6-1.
Wilmot's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Shoreland Lutheran has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .435. It's a different story for Wilmot, though, as they've only averaged .361. Will they be able to contain Shoreland Lutheran's hitters?
Shoreland Lutheran skirted past Wilmot 5-4 when the teams last played back in May of 2023. Do the Pacers have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Panthers turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
