The Vienna Eagles will venture away from home to face off against the Zeigler-Royalton Tornadoes at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Vienna is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.8 runs per game this season.
Vienna took a loss when they played away from home on Thursday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Monday. They put the hurt on Elverado with a sharp 12-2 win. The victory was some much needed relief for the Eagles as it spelled an end to their four-game losing streak.
Vienna got a great performance from Alli Vinson as she tossed five innings while giving up just two earned runs off one hit.
At the plate, Millie Partridge was a standout: she went 1-for-2 with two runs and one double. Ayva Rush also deserves some recognition as she hit her first double of the season.
Vienna was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .400. They are 4-2 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Meanwhile, Zeigler-Royalton gave up the first runs on Monday, but they didn't let that get them down. They won by a run and slipped past Norris City-Omaha-Enfield 6-5. The win continues a trend for the Tornadoes in their matchups with the Fighting Cardinals: they've now won four in a row.
Mayti House spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered four earned (and one unearned) runs on six hits.
On the hitting side, Adrianna Furlow-Hampton and Brylee Martin did most of the damage at the plate: Furlow-Hampton went 2-for-3 with one triple, one run, and one RBI, while Martin went a perfect 3-for-3 with two doubles and one run. That's the most hits Martin has posted over her last seven matchups. Another player making a difference was Emma Capogreco, who went 2-for-3 with two runs.
Vienna's record now sits at 7-13. As for Zeigler-Royalton, their record is now 10-13.
Tuesday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Vienna hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .322. However, it's not like Zeigler-Royalton struggles in that department as they've averaged .314. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Vienna skirted past Zeigler-Royalton 2-1 in their previous matchup back in May of 2024. Will the Eagles repeat their success, or do the Tornadoes have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
