The Delta Panthers will face off against the Hilltop Cadets at 5:00 p.m. on Friday.
Delta fought the good fight in their extra-innings game against Patrick Henry on Thursday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Patriots by a score of 5-4. The Panthers haven't had much luck with the Patriots recently, as the team has come up short the last three times they've met.
Delta saw nine different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Carlos DeSantos, who went 1-for-4 with two RBI, one run, and one double.
Meanwhile, Hilltop hadn't done well against North Central recently (they were 1-8 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Thursday. The Cadets came out on top against the Eagles by a score of 9-5. The victory was some much needed relief for the Cadets as it spelled an end to their three-game losing streak.
Cameron Shimp was incredible, going 2-for-3 with three RBI, one run, and one double. That's the most RBI he has posted since back in May of 2025. The team also got some help courtesy of Terry Rebeck, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two runs and one double.
Delta's defeat dropped their record down to 5-7. As for Hilltop, their win bumped their record up to 9-5.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Friday as neither team is afraid to steal. Delta has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 2.8 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Hilltop struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 3.9 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Delta skirted past Hilltop 7-6 in their previous meeting back in April of 2024. Will the Panthers repeat their success, or do the Cadets have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
