The Keystone Panthers will take on the Cranberry Area Berries at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Neither Keystone nor Cranberry Area posted many runs in their last games, so it might be the pitching crews that decide this one.
Clarion Area hit Keystone with a six-run first inning last Saturday, which goes a long way in explaining the final result. The Panthers came up short against the Bobcats, falling 14-2. The Panthers haven't had much luck with the Bobcats recently, as the team has come up short the last six times they've met.
Keystone saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Aidan Tharan, who went 2-for-3 with one stolen base and one run. Another was Talon Wilson, who got on base in all three of his plate appearances with one run.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Cranberry Area, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Monday. They never let Redbank Valley get on the board and left with a 2-0 victory on Thursday. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Berries have posted against the Bulldogs since April 26, 2018.
The result came thanks to Aiden Herrell-Ward's shutout, as he gave up just three hits and racked up seven Ks. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up a single earned run in four consecutive appearances.
Keystone's defeat dropped their record down to 1-3. As for Cranberry Area, their victory ended a five-game drought at home dating back to last season and bumped them up to 2-4.
Cranberry Area's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Keystone has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .436. It's a different story for Cranberry Area, though, as they've only averaged .333. Will they be able to contain Keystone's hitters?
Keystone skirted past Cranberry Area 9-8 when the teams last played back in April of 2024. Do the Panthers have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Berries turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
