The Van Wert Cougars will challenge the Kenton Wildcats at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Kenton took a loss in their last game and will be looking to turn the tables on Van Wert, who comes in off a win.
Van Wert is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They walked away with an 11-7 victory over Lima Central Catholic on Thursday.
Emma West made a splash while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over seven innings while giving up three earned (and four unearned) runs off nine hits (and not a single walk). West was also big at the plate, going 3-for-5 with one home run and four RBI. That's the most hits she has posted since back in April of 2025.
In other batting news, Haley Dunlap was incredible, going 2-for-3 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs. That home run was her first of the season. The team also got some help courtesy of Emma Haines, who went 2-for-4 with two runs.
Van Wert lost a few balls and finished the game with two home runs. That's the most home runs they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, Kenton lost 11-5 to Hardin Northern on Wednesday. The Wildcats have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
Like Van Wert, Kenton also got a great game from a two-way player: Alexis Ratliff. She struck out eight batters over five innings while giving up just two earned (and six unearned) runs off four hits. Ratliff was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with one home run and two RBI.
In other batting news, Lyla Gammon was cooking despite her team's loss, going 2-for-4 with three stolen bases and one run. Another player making a difference was Brayla Butler, who went 2-for-4 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
Kenton now has a losing record of 1-2. As for Van Wert, their win ended a four-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 2-4.
Van Wert couldn't quite get it done against Kenton in their previous meeting back in May of 2023 as they fell 11-7. Can the Cougars avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
