The Lapel Bulldogs will square off against the Indianapolis Bishop Chatard Trojans at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. Lapel is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.7 runs per game this season.
Lapel was handed a heart-breaking two-run defeat in their last match, but they sure didn't let that happen against Elwood on Monday. The Bulldogs blew past the Panthers 11-1. The high-scoring effort was just what the Bulldogs needed considering they were shut out in their previous game.
Ava Everman was a major factor no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching 3.1 innings while giving up just one earned run off three hits. She has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in five consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
Delaney Balser
| 05/19/25 vs Elwood | 3 |
| 04/30/25 vs New Castle | 2 |
| 04/24/25 vs Knightstown | 2 |
| 04/01/25 @ Frankton | 2 |
| 05/16/24 @ Sheridan | 2 |
In other batting news, Delaney Balser and Laylah Gore did most of the damage at the plate: Balser went a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs, while Gore went 2-for-3 with two RBI and one double. Those three hits gave Balser a new career-high.
Lapel was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .552. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Elwood only posted a batting average of .350.
Meanwhile, Indianapolis Bishop Chatard unfortunately witnessed the end of their four-game winning streak on Wednesday. They came up short against Indianapolis Lutheran, falling 7-1.
Indianapolis Bishop Chatard saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Olivia Maynard, who went 1-for-3 with one triple and one RBI.
Lapel is on a roll lately: they've won four of their last five contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 19-6 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.2 runs on average over those games. As for Indianapolis Bishop Chatard, their loss dropped their record down to 20-10.
Thursday's matchup will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Lapel hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .340. However, it's not like Indianapolis Bishop Chatard struggles in that department as they've averaged .363. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Lapel was able to grind out a solid win over Indianapolis Bishop Chatard when the teams last played back in April of 2023, winning 7-3. Do the Bulldogs have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Trojans turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
