Softball Game Preview: Rock Island Rocks vs. Moline Maroons

Rock Island and Moline are an even 5-5 against one another since May of 2019, but likely not for long. The Rocks will welcome the Maroons at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Rock Island will aim to continue their three-game streak of scoring more runs each contest than the last.

On Wednesday, Rock Island made easy work of Orion and carried off an 11-1 win. The victory continues a trend for the Rocks in their matchups with the Chargers: they've now won six in a row.

Lilly McDaniel

Batters Struck Out

04/23/25 vs Orion	7
04/19/25 vs Metamora	5
04/17/25 vs Quincy	15
04/15/25 vs Geneseo	7
04/12/25 vs Hononegah	8
+ 4 more games

Lilly McDaniel made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She struck out seven batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit (and not a single walk). She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in nine consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going a perfect 1-for-1 with two RBI and one double. That's the most RBI she has posted since back in April of 2024.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Jozie Kerr, who went 3-for-4 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one triple. That's the most hits she has posted since back in April of 2024. Another player making a difference was A'Rion Lonergan, who went 3-for-4 with one triple and one RBI.

Rock Island hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their strikeout total in three consecutive games.

Meanwhile, Moline didn't have quite enough to beat Sterling on Tuesday and fell 8-7. The defeat continues a trend for the Maroons in their meetings with the Golden Warriors: they've now lost five in a row.

Emersyn Rasso made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 2-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and one double. The team also got some help courtesy of Nicole Carman, who went 2-for-4 with one home run and two RBI.

Rock Island's win bumped their record up to 12-6. As for Moline, their loss dropped their record down to 6-11.

Rock Island took their victory against Moline in their previous matchup on April 1st by a conclusive 7-1 score. Will the Rocks repeat their success, or do the Maroons have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.