The Griffith Panthers will head out to challenge the Hebron Hawks at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Griffith is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.6 runs per game this season.
While Griffith didn't have the best season last year (they finished 7-15), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They were the clear victors by a 14-3 margin over Lake Station Edison on Tuesday. The win continues a trend for the Panthers in their matchups with the Fighting Eagles: they've now won nine in a row.
Steve McDermott made a big impact while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over three innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off two hits (and only one walk). He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two hits in four consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run. Those two RBI gave him a new career-high.
Logan Jimenez
| 04/22/25 vs Lake Station Edison | 4 |
| 04/09/25 @ Hammond Central | 3 |
| 04/14/25 vs River Forest | 2 |
| 04/24/24 vs Hammond Morton | 2 |
| 04/23/24 vs Illiana Christian | 2 |
In other batting news, Anthony Feliciano and Logan Jimenez did most of the damage at the plate: Feliciano went a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI, two runs, and one stolen base, while Jimenez went 3-for-4 with four RBI, two runs, and one double. Those four RBI gave Jimenez a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Jackson Davenport, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
Griffith always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .688. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Lake Station Edison only posted an OBP of .333.
Meanwhile, Hebron came up short against Washington Township on Monday, falling 8-2.
Hebron saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Owen Walstra, who went 1-for-2 with one run.
Griffith's record now sits at 6-2. As for Hebron, their defeat dropped their record down to 4-3-1.
Hebron's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Griffith hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .356. It's a different story for Hebron, though, as they've only averaged .206. Will they be able to contain Griffith's hitters?
Griffith might still be hurting after the 17-2 loss they got from Hebron in their previous meeting back in April of 2024. Can the Panthers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
