Softball Game Preview: Mendota Trojans vs. Rochelle Hubs

Mendota is on a six-game streak of home losses dating back to last season, and Rochelle a nine-game streak of away losses also dating back to last season. However, someone's due for a change in luck on Thursday. The Mendota Trojans will look to take advantage of their home field for the first time this season as they take on the Rochelle Hubs at 4:30 p.m. Mendota knows how to get runs on the board -- the team has finished with ten runs or more in their past three matches -- so hopefully Rochelle likes a good challenge.

Mendota gave up the first runs last Tuesday, but they didn't let that get them down. They walked away with a 17-12 victory over Ashton-Franklin Center.

Sydney Tolley made a splash no matter where she played. She tossed 3.1 innings while giving up just two earned runs off one hit. Tolley was also big at the plate, scoring two runs while going 3-for-4.

In other batting news, Mendota got a big performance out of Addy Perryman, who scored two runs while going 1-for-3. Cassie Gonzalez was another key player, scoring a run while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances.

Mendota kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 17 hits. That's the most hits they've posted since back in March of 2024.

Meanwhile, after soaring to 16 runs the game before, Rochelle was a bit more limited in their contest on Monday. They fell 4-1 to Guilford. The game marked the Hubs' lowest-scoring matchup so far this season.

Emma Heller spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and one unearned) runs on seven hits and racked up 17 Ks.

On the hitting side, Rochelle saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Lauren Dyer, who scored a run while going 2-for-3. Briel Metzger also deserves some recognition as she hit her first triple of the season.

Rochelle now has a losing record of 2-3. As for Mendota, they now have a winning record of 2-1.