The South Beloit Sobos will face off against the Forreston Cardinals at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. South Beloit knows how to get runs on the board -- the team has finished with ten runs or more in their past five matches -- so hopefully Forreston likes a good challenge.
If South Beloit beats Forreston with 11 runs on Friday, it's going to be the squad's new lucky number: they've won their past two games with that exact score. The Sobos beat Schaumburg Christian on Thursday by the very same score they won with in their prior game: 11-1. The Sobos might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won six contests by eight runs or more this season.
JT Sanders
| 04/24/25 vs Schaumburg Christian | 4 |
| 04/10/25 @ Harvest Christian Academy | 3 |
| 04/05/25 vs River Ridge/Scales Mound | 2 |
| 04/01/25 @ Westminster Christian | 1 |
| 05/15/24 @ Lena-Winslow | 2 |
| + 3 more games |
JT Sanders made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits over six innings pitched. What's more, he posted four strikeouts, the most he's had since back in May of 2024. He was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with three stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI.
In other batting news, Gage Pasiecznik was incredible, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances with three runs, one stolen base, and one RBI. Jonah Martinez was another key player, going 1-for-3 with one run and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Forreston beat Dakota 5-2 on Thursday. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Cardinals.
Like South Beloit, Forreston also got a great game from a two-way player: Brendan Greenfield. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over six innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off seven hits (and not a single walk). Greenfield has been consistent: he hasn't given up more than one walk in five consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with one triple and two RBI. That triple was his first of the season.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Connor Politsch, who went 2-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI. He has been hot recently, having posted at least one stolen base the last three times he's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Carson Akins, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with one RBI.
South Beloit has been performing well recently as they've won six of their last eight matches. That's provided a nice bump to their 11-4 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 4.0 runs on average over those games. As for Forreston, their victory bumped their record up to 16-4.
Friday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. South Beloit hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .319. However, it's not like Forreston struggles in that department as they've averaged .315. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
South Beloit suffered a grim 17-0 defeat to Forreston in their previous matchup back in March of 2015. Will the Sobos have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more baseball content.
