The Shade Panthers will head out to challenge the Rockwood Rockets at 4:00 p.m. on Monday. Shade is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 10.7 runs per game this season.
Shade barely beat McConnellsburg the last time the pair played, but that sure wasn't the case this time around. The Panthers were the clear victors by a 14-1 margin over the Spartans on Thursday. Winning may never get old, but the Panthers sure are getting used to it with their third in a row.
Payton Maddy
| 04/17/25 vs McConnellsburg | 3 |
| 04/09/25 vs Turkeyfoot Valley Area | 2 |
| 04/03/25 @ Ferndale | 1 |
| 04/01/25 vs Rockwood | 0 |
| 03/24/25 @ Forbes Road | 2 |
| + 8 more games |
Payton Maddy made a big impact no matter where she played. She struck out seven batters over five innings while giving up just one earned run off four hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't tossed less than seven strikeouts in five consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs, three RBI, and one double. That's the most hits she has posted since back in May of 2024.
In other batting news, Tori Bowers was incredible, going 3-for-4 with three runs, four RBI, and one triple. That's the most RBI she has posted since back in April of 2024. Katy Kovacs was another key player, going 1-for-2 with three RBI, one triple, and one run.
Shade was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .538. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .351 or higher in three consecutive matchups.
Meanwhile, Rockwood posted their closest victory since May 4, 2024 on Thursday. They had just enough and edged out Fannett Metal 8-6. The win was a breath of fresh air for the Rockets as it put an end to their three-game losing streak.
Sydney Beals was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she pitched seven innings while giving up four earned (and two unearned) runs off five hits. Beals was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in three of her four plate appearances with one stolen base and one run.
In other batting news, Rockwood let Miley Pletcher and Elika Pletcher run wild. Miley went 3-for-4 with three runs, one triple, and one stolen base, while Elika went 3-for-4 with two runs, two RBI, and one double. Annah Sechler also deserves some recognition as she snagged her first stolen base of the season.
Shade's record is now 5-2. As for Rockwood, their record now sits at 3-7.
Rockwood's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Shade has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 10.4 hits per game. It's a different story for Rockwood, though, as they've been averaging 12.9 hits. Given Shade's sizable advantage in that area, the Rockets will need to find a way to close that gap.
Shade suffered a grim 13-6 defeat to Rockwood in their previous meeting on April 1st. Can the Panthers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
