Softball Game Preview: Kaneland Knights vs. Morris Redskins

The Kaneland Knights will head out to take on the Morris Redskins at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Kaneland fell victim to Sycamore and their airtight pitching crew on Tuesday. They took a 3-0 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Spartans. The Knights have struggled against the Spartans recently, as the game was their third consecutive lost meeting.

Kaneland saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Ellie Peck, who went 2-for-3 with two doubles. Those doubles were Peck's first of the season.

Meanwhile, Morris entered their tilt with Newark on Tuesday with two consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with three. They beat the Norsemen by the very same score they won with in their prior game: 13-3. Considering the Redskins have won seven games by more than five runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.

Halie Olson was incredible, going 2-for-4 with one home run, two runs, and one stolen base. She is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as she's now snagged at least one in each of the last three games she's played. Karson Dransfeldt was another key player, going 2-for-4 with two runs and one RBI.

Morris was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .462. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their batting average total in three consecutive contests.

Kaneland's loss dropped their record down to 9-6. As for Morris, their win bumped their record up to 12-4.

The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Wednesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Kaneland has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.5 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Morris struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.4 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.

Kaneland beat Morris 6-1 in their previous matchup back in May of 2024. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Knights since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.