The Pioneer Panthers will venture away from home to challenge the Carroll Cougars at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Pioneer has given up an average of 8.1 runs per game this season, but Tuesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Pioneer made up a huge gap compared to their last game against North Judson-San Pierre, but they still couldn't quite topple them. The Panthers fell just short of the Bluejays by a score of 11-9 on Saturday. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest loss the Panthers have suffered since May 22, 2024.
Brodie Howard
| 05/03/25 @ North Judson-San Pierre | 1 |
| 04/28/25 vs Oregon-Davis | 0 |
| 04/22/25 vs Bremen | 2 |
Brodie Howard put in work while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out ten batters over four innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off five hits (and only one walk). He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, getting on base in four of his five plate appearances with one run.
In other batting news, Eli Guffey was cooking despite his team's loss, going 2-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. Another player making a difference was Blake Rogers, who got on base in four of his five plate appearances with two runs.
Carroll might be feeling deja-vu: they lost 9-6 to Rochester, which was the same score (and result) they got the week prior. The Cougars have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
Owen Zinn and Travis Tinsman did some serious damage despite the final result: Zinn went 3-for-4 with one home run and two runs, while Tinsman went 2-for-4 with one home run and two RBI. That home run marked the first that Zinn has launched this season. The team also got some help courtesy of Coy Lytle, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two runs and one RBI.
Pioneer's record is now 6-8. As for Carroll, their record now sits at 3-11.
Tuesday's match might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Pioneer has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .442. However, it's not like Carroll struggles in that department as they've averaged .439. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Pioneer suffered a grim 11-1 defeat to Carroll in their previous meeting back in April of 2017. Can the Panthers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
