The Fort Wayne Snider Panthers will face off against the DeKalb Barons at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
DeKalb's hitters are going to have their work cut out for them on Wednesday: Fort Wayne Snider hadn't allowed a single run the last four times they've hit the field. The Panthers' pitchers stepped up to hand Fort Wayne North Side a 31-0 shutout on Monday. While the Panthers didn't have the best season last year (they finished 11-14), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past.
Cam Davis was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Davis was also big at the plate, getting on base in four of his five plate appearances with two stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI. Those stolen bases marked the first that he has snagged this season.
In other pitching news, Isaiah Snavely looked comfortable as he pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits.
Back at the plate, Ethan Welch was a standout: he went 5-for-6 with four runs, three RBI, and one stolen base. Those three RBI gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Landen Fry, who went 1-for-2 with two stolen bases, three runs, and three RBI.
Fort Wayne Snider always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .661. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Fort Wayne North Side only posted an OBP of .300.
While DeKalb didn't have the best season last year (they finished 11-17), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They put the hurt on Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian with a sharp 12-1 victory on Tuesday. The win was familiar territory for the Barons, who have now won four contests in a row.
Brendan Vance spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: he surrendered only one earned run on three hits.
At the plate, Brady Vince was incredible, going a perfect 2-for-2 with one home run, three runs, and three RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of Ashten Tuttle, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with four RBI and one double.
Fort Wayne Snider pushed their record up to 5-1 with the victory, which was their third straight on the road. Those road wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 18.7 runs over those games. As for DeKalb, their victory bumped their record up to 7-1.
Everything went Fort Wayne Snider's way against DeKalb in their previous meeting back in May of 2024, as Fort Wayne Snider made off with a 12-2 win. Do the Panthers have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Barons turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
