The Princeton Tigers will challenge the Erie-Prophetstown Panthers at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. Princeton is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.8 runs per game this season.
On Saturday, Princeton made easy work of Monmouth-Roseville and carried off a 10-1 victory. The win continues a trend for the Tigers in their matchups with the Titans: they've now won three in a row.
Avah Oertel
| 04/19/25 vs Monmouth-Roseville | 8 |
| 04/22/24 vs Bureau Valley | 7 |
| 05/15/24 @ Rock Falls | 6 |
| 05/07/24 vs Newark | 5 |
| 05/02/24 vs Newman Central Catholic | 5 |
Avah Oertel was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she struck out eight batters over seven innings while giving up just one earned run off five hits (and only one walk). Those eight strikeouts gave her a new career-high. She was also big at the plate, firing off two home runs, three runs, and four RBI while going 3-for-4.
In other batting news, Kelsea Klingenberg was excellent, going a perfect 2-for-2 with two stolen bases, one run, and one RBI. That's the most hits she has posted since back in May of 2024. Keely Lawson was another key player, going 2-for-4 with two runs and one double.
Meanwhile, it was a proper cat-fight when Erie-Prophetstown duked it out with Sherrard on Saturday. The Panthers had just enough and edged out the Tigers 4-2. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Panthers have posted since March 18th.
Like Princeton, Erie-Prophetstown also got a great game from a two-way player: Wynn Renkes. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching five innings while giving up just one earned run off four hits. Renkes has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going a perfect 2-for-2 with one RBI.
Renkes wasn't the only one making solid contact as four players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Chloe Hamilton, who went 1-for-2 with one stolen base and one run.
Erie-Prophetstown now has a winning record of 7-6. As for Princeton, their win bumped their record up to 4-5.
Monday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Princeton hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .356. However, it's not like Erie-Prophetstown struggles in that department as they've averaged .314. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Everything went Princeton's way against Erie-Prophetstown in their previous matchup back in April of 2024, as Princeton made off with a 9-3 victory. Will the Tigers repeat their success, or do the Panthers have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
