LIGONIER — The softball teams from Lakewood Park Christian and West Noble are looking to be more competitive this season after they each won two games last spring.

The Panthers pretty much returned everybody from last season and started 2026 in roaring fashion Tuesday with 11 runs in the top of the first inning against the Chargers. LPC went on to a 22-11 victory in five innings.

“We did a good job with the bats,” third-year Lakewood Park coach Lindsey Nolt said. “We have a lot of stuff going on at school, and it was good to get the win.”

West Noble made a couple errors early in the Panthers’ big first inning. It was capped off by a three-run double from Lakewood Park senior Reese Lindblom.

Second-year Charger coach Madison Bremer is looking to develop a more positive mindset with her team. She felt her team was not in the right frame of mind on a sunny, chilly late Tuesday afternoon.

“We were not charging the ball when taking infield. We weren’t moving around like we should,” Bremer said. “Our focus has to be on point.

“We have a real good group of girls. They’re growing and improving. It’s about knowing we can compete. I’m telling the girls every practice about staying positive.

West Noble punched back with 11 hits and nearly extended the game past five innings. It scored four runs in the fifth, but Panther sophomore Aleigha Kidder got a strikeout with a runner in scoring position to end the game.

Senior Reagan Nott was 5-for-5 with four runs scored, four runs batted in and three stolen bases to lead LPC. Classmate Lily Morris, a Huntington University softball signee, drove in four runs, scored three runs and stole two bases.

Lindblom and seniors Riah Johnson and Riann Myers had three RBIs apiece for the Panthers. Myers, a first baseman, also hit two doubles.

“The team works really hard,” Nolt said. “We have strong senior leadership.”

The Chargers (0-2) were led by junior Marley Mast, who reached base four times with three singles and being hit by a pitch, scored three runs and stealing a base.

Junior Izzy Beers doubled, tripled, walked, scored twice and had three RBIs for West Noble. Freshman Brooklyn Barden had two hits, walked, scored three runs and drove in a run.

Sophomore Natalie Gow reached base four times for the Chargers with three walks and a base hit, and also had an RBI. Classmates Brynn Weigold and McKenzie Davidsen each had two RBIs.

Lakewood Park outhit West Noble 15-11. Kidder pitched a complete game victory with five strikeouts for the Panthers. Beers started and took the loss for the Chargers. She pitched to all but two Lakewood Park batters and a large majority of her runs were unearned.

LPC will host Fremont today in a matchup of Class 1A sectional rivals, while West Noble travels to Fort Wayne South Side.