The Lapel Bulldogs will look to take advantage of their home field for the first time this season as they take on the Park Tudor Panthers at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Both come into the matchup bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Last Tuesday, it was close, but Lapel sidestepped Greenfield-Central for a 5-4 victory. That's two games straight that the Bulldogs have won by just one run.
Eli Suchocki made a big impact while hitting and pitching. He tossed 2.1 innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Suchocki was also big at the plate, scoring two runs while going 2-for-3. That's the most runs he has posted since back in April of 2024.
Suchocki wasn't the only one making solid contact as three players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Hogan Bair, who scored a run while going 2-for-3. That's the most hits Bair has posted since back in April of 2024. Ray Smith was another, going a perfect 2-for-2 with one double and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Park Tudor hadn't done well against Donelson Christian Academy recently (they were 0-3 in their previous three matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Wednesday. The Panthers walked away with a 12-9 win over the Wildcats. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Panthers.
Like Lapel, Park Tudor also got a great game from a two-way player: Desmond Francis. On the mound, he tossed four innings while giving up just one earned (and three unearned) runs off five hits. Francis was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring three runs and stealing five bases while getting on base in three of his five plate appearances.
In other batting news, MJ Gaines was incredible, scoring three runs and stealing two bases while going 2-for-4. He is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as he's now snagged at least one in each of the last three games he's played dating back to last season. Another player making a difference was Oliver Eve, who scored two runs while getting on base in three of his five plate appearances.
Lapel's victory bumped their record up to 2-0. Park Tudor has also opened the season with a perfect 2-0 record.
Lapel couldn't quite get it done against Park Tudor in their previous meeting back in April of 2024 as they fell 4-1. Will the Bulldogs have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
