Softball Game Preview: DeKalb Barbs vs. Naperville Central Redhawks

Barbs

Runs

04/14/25 @ Waubonsie Valley	8
04/12/25 vs Stillman Valley	9
04/12/25 vs Stillman Valley	8
04/11/25 vs Rochelle	6
04/10/25 @ Naperville North	7
+ 5 more games

DeKalb is 1-9 against Naperville Central since May of 2021 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Wednesday. The Barbs will host the Redhawks at 4:30 p.m. DeKalb is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.4 runs per game this season.

DeKalb will bounce into Wednesday's matchup after beating Waubonsie Valley, who they had gone 1-8 against in their nine prior meetings. The Barbs walked away with an 8-5 victory over the Warriors on Monday. While the Barbs didn't have the best season last year (they finished 4-20), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past.

Isabel Aranda was excellent, scoring a run while going 2-for-4. The team also got some help courtesy of Hazel Montavon, who scored two runs while going 1-for-3.

Aranda wasn't the only one making solid contact: DeKalb 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 12 hits in three consecutive games.

Meanwhile, Naperville Central came up short against Wheaton-Warrenville South on Tuesday and fell 10-7. The Redhawks have struggled against the Tigers recently, as the game was their eighth consecutive lost meeting.

Natalie Lau was cooking despite her team's loss, going 1-for-3 with one home run. That home run marked the first that she launched this season.

DeKalb's win bumped their record up to 8-2. As for Naperville Central, their defeat dropped their record down to 4-6.

Naperville Central's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: DeKalb has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 9.8 hits per game. It's a different story for Naperville Central, though, as they've been averaging 8.7 hits. Given DeKalb's sizable advantage in that area, the Redhawks will need to find a way to close that gap.

DeKalb couldn't quite get it done against Naperville Central in their previous meeting back in May of 2024 as they fell 8-4. Will the Barbs have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more softball content.