The Elwood Panthers will square off against the Lapel Bulldogs at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. Elwood is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.5 runs per game this season.
Elwood is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Tuesday. They sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 5-4 victory over Tipton. The win was some much needed relief for the Panthers as it spelled an end to their three-game losing streak.
Sandy Jordan spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered four earned runs on seven hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 12 consecutive appearances.
Kelsey Armes
| 05/27/25 vs Tipton | 1 |
| 05/23/25 @ Tri-Central | 1 |
| 05/22/25 @ Delta | 1 |
At the plate, the team relied heavily on Kelsey Armes, who got on base in three of her four plate appearances with one home run. She is on a roll when it comes to home runs, as she's now launched at least one in each of the last three games she's played. Taylor Hawks was another key player, going 2-for-4 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
Elwood hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. The team has now struck out at least five batters in five consecutive matchups.
Meanwhile, Lapel entered their tilt with Taylor on Tuesday with two consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with three. They never let the Titans get on the board and left with a 19-0 victory. Considering the Bulldogs have won 14 contests by more than five runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.
Ava Zdanowski looked comfortable as she tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. What's more, she posted four strikeouts, the most she's had since May 3rd.
On the hitting side, Lapel let Delaney Balser and Tatum Harper run wild. Balser went a perfect 1-for-1 with five RBI and one run, while Harper got on base in all three of her plate appearances with two stolen bases and two runs. Those five RBI gave Balser a new career-high. Elizabeth Connelly also deserves some recognition as she got her first hit of the season.
Elwood's record now sits at 8-18. As for Lapel, their record is now 21-6.
Elwood might still be hurting after the 11-1 defeat they got from Lapel when the teams last played last Monday. Can the Panthers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
