The Sullivan Redskins will challenge the Arcola Purple Riders at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. Each of these teams will be fighting to keep a win streak alive as Sullivan comes in on four and Arcola on 12.
While Sullivan's victory against Tuscola wasn't quite the blowout it was the last time the pair played, they still came out on top. The Redskins' pitchers stepped up to hand the Warriors a 1-0 shutout on Saturday.
Sullivan's win was truly a team effort as six different players contributed at least one hit. One of them was Cameron Crowe, who went 1-for-4 with one RBI. Zaden Hussong also deserves some recognition as he snagged his first stolen base of the season.
Meanwhile, Arcola made easy work of Tri-County [Kansas/Shiloh/Oakland] on Thursday and carried off a 21-0 victory. The Purple Riders might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won ten matches by six runs or more this season.
Brody Phillips made a splash while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only one hit while striking out six over four innings pitched. He has been consistent: he hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, getting on base in all five of his plate appearances with one home run, six RBI, and three runs. Those six RBI gave him a new career-high.
In other batting news, Brevyn Whisman was incredible, firing off two home runs and eight RBI while getting on base in all five of his plate appearances. Those eight RBI gave him a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Tanner Thomas, who got on base in three of his five plate appearances with three runs, two RBI, and one double.
Arcola always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .651. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Arcola pushed their record up to 12-0 with the win, which was their sixth straight on the road. Those road victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 13.7 runs over those games. As for Sullivan, their record now sits at 6-12.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Sullivan has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.1 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Arcola struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 10.9 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Sullivan might still be hurting after the 8-2 defeat they got from Arcola when the teams last played back in April of 2024. Can the Redskins avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
