Knightstown is a perfect 6-0 against Wes-Del since May of 2015 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Thursday. The Panthers will be playing in front of their home fans against the Warriors at 5:00 p.m. The two teams are sauntering into the matchup backed by comfortable wins in their prior games.
Knightstown will roll into the match after a wild two-game stretch: they only put up two runs on Tuesday, then bounced right back against North Decatur on Wednesday. The Panthers came out on top against the Chargers by a score of 12-2 (the very same score they lost by in their prior game).
Mae Hersberger
| 05/07/25 @ North Decatur | 2 |
| 04/25/25 @ Cowan | 1 |
| 04/10/25 vs Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory | 2 |
Mae Hersberger made a splash no matter where she played. She struck out seven batters over four innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off two hits (and only one walk). Hersberger was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three stolen bases, two RBI, and one run. That's the most RBI she has posted since back in April.
In other batting news, Dylan Fausnaugh was incredible, going 3-for-4 with two stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI. Lanee Swindell was another key player, going 2-for-3 with two stolen bases and two runs.
Knightstown kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 14 hits. They are 7-1 when they post 11 or more hits.
Meanwhile, Wes-Del entered their tilt with Cowan on Wednesday with eight consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with nine. They blew past the Blackhawks 9-1. Considering the Warriors have won eight contests by more than five runs this season, Wednesday's blowout was nothing new.
Bailee West spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned run on three hits and racked up 12 Ks. She has been consistent: she hasn't tossed less than seven strikeouts in six consecutive appearances.
On the hitting side, Wes-Del let Kenzie Anderson and Marley Bertram run wild. Anderson went 2-for-4 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs, while Bertram went 2-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. Another player making a difference was Ansley Draper, who went 1-for-3 with two stolen bases and two runs.
Wes-Del's win was their seventh straight at home, which pushed their record up to 10-3. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 13.3 runs over those games. As for Knightstown, the win got them back to even at 8-8.
Thursday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Knightstown hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .362. However, it's not like Wes-Del struggles in that department as they've averaged .408. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Everything went Knightstown's way against Wes-Del in their previous meeting back in May of 2024, as Knightstown made off with a 12-5 victory. Do the Panthers have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Warriors turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
