Baseball Game Preview: Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond Knights vs. Villa Grove Blue Devils

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond is a perfect 3-0 against Villa Grove since April of 2022 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Thursday. The Knights are taking a road trip to challenge the Blue Devils at 4:30 p.m. Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.5 runs per game this season.

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond gave up the first runs last Tuesday, but they didn't let that get them down. They came out on top against Paris by a score of 8-3. The Knights haven't had any issues with the Tigers recently, as the game was their third consecutive victory against them.

Marcus Otto

Runs

04/11/25 vs Blue Ridge	3
04/15/25 @ Paris	2
04/03/25 vs Tuscola	2
03/28/25 @ Central A & M	2
04/14/25 @ Cumberland	1
+ 1 more games

The team relied heavily on Marcus Otto, who scored two runs and stole two bases while going 2-for-3. He is becoming a predictor of Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 2-7 when he doesn't). Logan Schrock also deserves some recognition as he hit his first double of the season.

Otto wasn't the only one making solid contact: Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. The Knights are a perfect 5-0 when they post 11 or more hits.

Meanwhile, Villa Grove didn't have quite enough to beat St. Thomas More on Wednesday and fell 2-1.

Villa Grove's loss dropped their record down to 4-7. As for Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond, their record now sits at 6-7.

The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Villa Grove struggles in that department as they've been averaging 9.1 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond was able to grind out a solid win over Villa Grove in their previous matchup back in May of 2024, winning 6-3. 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.