Softball Game Preview: Incarnate Word Academy Red Knights vs. Parkway Central Colts

The Incarnate Word Academy Red Knights will square off against the Parkway Central Colts at 3:30 p.m. on Friday. Incarnate Word Academy is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7 runs per game this season.

Having struggled with five losses in a row, Incarnate Word Academy turned things around against Valley Park on Monday. They put the hurt on the Hawks with a sharp 15-7 victory. The high-flying hitting performance was a huge turnaround for the Red Knights considering their one-run performance the contest before.

Layla Portis

Runs (Career)

10/13/25 @ Valley Park	3
09/27/25 @ Cor Jesu Academy	2
09/24/25 vs Gateway Science Academy	2
09/22/25 vs Oakville	2
09/15/25 @ Parkway North	2

Layla Portis made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She struck out nine batters over seven innings while giving up six earned (and one unearned) runs off 11 hits (and not a single walk). She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 11 consecutive appearances. She was even better at the plate, getting on base in four of her five plate appearances with two stolen bases and three runs. Those three runs gave her a new career-high.

In other batting news, Incarnate Word Academy got a massive performance out of Alexis Clayborne, who got on base in three of her five plate appearances with four stolen bases, three runs, and one RBI. That's the most runs Clayborne has posted since back in October of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Lauryn Walker, who got on base in five of her six plate appearances with three stolen bases and three runs.

Incarnate Word Academy always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .587. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Valley Park only posted an OBP of .400.

Meanwhile, Parkway Central fell victim to Oakville and their airtight pitching crew on Tuesday. They fell just short of the Tigers by a score of 1-0. The Colts have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.

Parkway Central's defeat dropped their record down to 15-7. As for Incarnate Word Academy, their win bumped their record up to 12-13.

Incarnate Word Academy's speedy runners might be the difference in Friday's matchup. The Red Knights have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 4 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Parkway Central, though, as they've been averaging only 1 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Incarnate Word Academy continue to outrun the ball? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.