Softball Game Preview: Lincolnwood Lancers vs. Mulberry Grove Aces

The Lincolnwood Lancers will head out on the road to take on the Mulberry Grove Aces at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The two teams are sauntering into the matchup backed by comfortable wins in their prior games.

Lincolnwood took a loss when they played away from home on Friday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Monday. Their pitchers stepped up to hand Litchfield a 10-0 shutout. The high-scoring effort was just what the Lancers needed considering they were shut out in their previous matchup.

The home team had come away the winner the last five times Mulberry Grove and Vandalia had met, but sadly for the fans who attended this one that wasn't the case. The Aces put the hurt on the Vandals with a sharp 9-1 win on Monday. The result was nothing new for the Aces, who have now won four contests by six runs or more so far this season.

Lily Johnson made a splash no matter where she played. She didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out 11 over seven innings pitched. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't tossed less than 11 strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 1-for-4. That stolen base was her first of the season.

In other batting news, Lola Johnson was incredible, going 3-for-5 with one home run, three runs, and two RBI. Those three hits gave her a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Taylor Stone, who scored three runs while going 3-for-4.

Mulberry Grove kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Vandalia only managed three hits.

Lincolnwood moved to 7-9 with that victory, which also ended their four-game losing streak. As for Mulberry Grove, their record is now 5-3.

Lincolnwood couldn't quite finish off Mulberry Grove in their previous meeting back in March of 2024 and fell 2-0. Can the Lancers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.