Softball Game Preview: Rockridge Rockets vs. Kewanee Boilermakers

Rockets

Runs

04/23/26 @ Monmouth-Roseville	14
04/22/26 @ Biggsville West Central	3
04/20/26 vs Monmouth-Roseville	25
04/16/26 vs Mercer County	8
+ 12 more games

Rockridge is a perfect 8-0 against Kewanee since April of 2016 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Friday. The Rockets will venture away from home to take on the Boilermakers at 4:30 p.m. Rockridge is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 9.6 runs per game this season.

Rockridge's pitching crew heads into the contest hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Thursday. They put the hurt on Monmouth-Roseville with a sharp 14-0 victory. The result was nothing new for the Rockets, who have now won eight matchups by seven runs or more so far this season.

The team relied heavily on Tatum Lowe, who went 2-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and four RBI. Another player making a difference was Emilee Black, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with one double and one RBI.

Meanwhile, Kewanee had already won four in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 9.5 runs) and they went ahead and made it five on Thursday. They came out on top against the Trojans by a score of 13-10. That's two games straight that the Boilermakers have won by exactly three runs.

Kewanee got a massive performance out of Kieryn Abernathy, who went 2-for-4 with one home run and four RBI. That's the most RBI Abernathy has posted since back in May of 2025. The team also got some help courtesy of Dani Jo Currier, who got on base in four of her five plate appearances with four runs and two stolen bases.

Rockridge's record now sits at 14-3. As for Kewanee, their record is now 11-4.

Friday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Rockridge hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .368. However, it's not like Kewanee struggles in that department as they've averaged .328. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.

Rockridge got the 'W' when the teams last played back in April of 2025 against Kewanee by a conclusive 12-2 score. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Rockets since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.