Softball Game Preview: Elgin Comets vs. Hardin Northern Polar Bears

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Previous Games

04/29/24 - Away	10-2 W
04/10/23 - Home	12-0 W
04/10/23 - Home	14-0 W
04/27/22 - Away	18-5 W
04/12/22 - Home	13-3 W
+ 5 more games

Elgin is a perfect 10-0 against Hardin Northern since April of 2017 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Monday. The Comets will host the Polar Bears at 5:00 p.m.

Elgin fell victim to North Baltimore and their airtight pitching crew on Wednesday. They came up short against the Tigers, falling 6-0. Having soared to a lofty ten runs in the game before, the Comets' shutout was a dramatic turnaround.

Madison Hill spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and three unearned) runs on eight hits and racked up 12 Ks. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 14 consecutive appearances.

Meanwhile, Hardin Northern waltzed into their game on Tuesday with two straight wins... but they left with three. They came within a single run of losing the streak, but they secured a 13-12 W against the Rams. Surprisingly, this marked the Polar Bears' fourth straight game in which the away team has come away the victor.

Lyla Holtzberger made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She tossed 4.1 innings while giving up just one earned (and three unearned) runs off five hits. Holtzberger was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with four RBI and one run.

In other batting news, Addy Bacon was incredible, going 2-for-4 with four runs and two stolen bases. Another player making a difference was Kailtyn Whitaker, who went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases and three runs.

Hardin Northern kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least ten hits in three consecutive contests.

Hardin Northern's victory bumped their record up to 13-4. As for Elgin, with the loss, they broke their three-game winning streak and moved their record to 6-11.

Elgin took their win against Hardin Northern in their previous matchup back in April of 2024 by a conclusive 10-2 score. Will the Comets repeat their success, or do the Polar Bears have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.