Bloom hasn't had much luck against Kankakee recently, but that could start to change on Monday. The Blazing Trojan will welcome the Kays at 4:30 p.m. Bloom is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.9 runs per game this season.
On Saturday, Bloom didn't have quite enough to beat Blue Island Eisenhower and fell 5-4.
Dan Williams was huge while hitting and pitching even without the win. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only two hits while striking out eight over four innings pitched. He also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because Bloom is 2-1 when he allows at most one earned run, but 6-9 otherwise. Williams was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with one stolen base and one run.
Kamari Dawkins
| 03/29/25 vs Argo | 5 |
| 04/26/25 @ Blue Island Eisenhower | 3 |
| 04/14/25 vs Crete-Monee | 3 |
| 04/24/25 vs Thornridge | 2 |
| 04/21/25 vs Thornridge | 2 |
| + 9 more games |
In other batting news, Kamari Dawkins was cooking despite his team's loss, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one stolen base and two RBI. Bloom is 2-1 when Dawkins posts three or more hits, but 6-9 otherwise.
For whatever reason, it's the away team that's had the advantage when Kankakee and Rich Township meet (three straight games heading into this one) and that held true again on Thursday. The Kays came up short against the Raptors, falling 19-6.
Kankakee saw six different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Aidan Liddell, who went 2-for-3 with three RBI and one double. Another was Bentley Deany, who went 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI.
Kankakee dropped their record down to 4-12 with the defeat, which was their fifth straight at home. As for Bloom, their loss dropped their record down to 8-10.
Kankakee's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Bloom has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .483. It's a different story for Kankakee, though, as they've only averaged .349. Will they be able to contain Bloom's hitters?
Bloom couldn't quite get it done against Kankakee in their previous matchup back in April of 2024 as they fell 6-2. Can the Blazing Trojan avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
