The Pioneer Panthers will challenge the Knox Redskins at 5:30 p.m. on Monday. Pioneer is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.1 runs per game this season.
Pioneer came out on top against Twin Lakes on Saturday thanks in part to the team's impressive five-run fourth inning. The Panthers took their match against the Indians 8-4. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Panthers.
Katelynn Haynes spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and three unearned) runs on four hits.
Lois Layer
| 05/17/25 @ Twin Lakes | 2 |
| 05/16/25 @ North Judson-San Pierre | 2 |
| 05/15/25 vs West Central | 1 |
| 05/13/25 @ North Miami | 1 |
| 05/12/25 @ North White | 2 |
On the hitting side, Lois Layer was excellent, going 2-for-4 with two stolen bases, one run, and one double. She has been hot, having posted at least one stolen base the last five times she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Hallie Lebo, who went 1-for-3 with one triple, two RBI, and one run.
Meanwhile, Knox came tearing into Friday's game with three straight wins , and they left with even more momentum. They came within a single run of losing the streak, but they secured a 2-1 W against the Lions. That's two games straight that the Redskins have won by just one run.
Knox also let their pitcher toss all seven innings and she was also dialed-in: Cheryl Barnes gave up only one earned run on eight hits and racked up seven Ks.
At the plate, Knox's victory was truly a team effort as five different players contributed at least one hit. One of them was Madalee Hinshaw, who went 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI. Those two hits gave Hinshaw a new career-high.
Knox's win was their fourth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 12-12. The home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.5 runs on average over those games. As for Pioneer, their win bumped their record up to 16-10.
Monday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Pioneer hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .363. However, it's not like Knox struggles in that department as they've averaged .330. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Pioneer came up short against Knox in their previous meeting back in April of 2024, falling 8-4. Can the Panthers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
