Softball Game Preview: Collinsville Kahoks vs. Gillespie Miners

The Collinsville Kahoks will venture away from home to challenge the Gillespie Miners at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. Collinsville has given up an average of 9.9 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Collinsville came into their game on Saturday off a hard-fought close win, but unfortunately suffered a serious change of fortune. They lost 16-4 to Okawville. The Kahoks' defeat signaled the end of their three-game winning streak.

Preslie Thomas made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and scored a run while going 2-for-4. Carsyn Moad was another key player, scoring a run and stealing two bases while going 1-for-4.

Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Gillespie, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Thursday. Everything went their way against Vandalia on Friday as they made off with a 7-0 victory. The result was nothing new for the Miners, who have now won six contests by seven runs or more so far this season.

The result came thanks to Paxton Reid's shutout, as she gave up just four hits and racked up eight Ks. She has been consistent : she hasn't given up more than two walks in seven consecutive appearances.

On the hitting side, Delaney Taylor was excellent, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 1-for-2. The team also got some help courtesy of Ava Rakers, who scored a run and stole a base while getting on base in two of her four plate appearances.

Gillespie has been performing incredibly well recently as they've won six of their last seven games. That's provided a nice bump to their 7-5 record this season. The wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 8.6 runs over those games. As for Collinsville, they now have a losing record of 4-5.

Collinsville couldn't quite finish off Gillespie in their previous matchup back in April of 2024 and fell 3-1. Can the Kahoks avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.