Softball Game Preview: Dunlap Eagles vs. Limestone Rockets

Dunlap is 8-2 against Limestone since May of 2021 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Tuesday. The Eagles are taking a road trip to challenge the Rockets at 4:30 p.m. Dunlap's pitching crew has only allowed 1.8 runs per game this season, so Limestone's hitters will have their work cut out for them.

Dunlap had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the seven-run drubbing they dealt Metamora on Saturday. The Eagles' pitcher stepped up to hand the Redbirds a 7-0 shutout. Considering the Eagles have won eight games by more than five runs this season, Saturday's blowout was nothing new.

Not much got past Sutton Centoni, who gave up just three hits and racked up seven Ks to keep Metamora off the board. Centoni has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in nine consecutive appearances.

At the plate, Gabby Drake was incredible, going 1-for-3 with one home run and three RBI. Madilynn Ramos also deserves some recognition as she scored her first run of the season.

Meanwhile, Limestone was not able to break out of their rough patch on Saturday as the team picked up their 11th straight defeat. They came up short against Illini Bluffs, falling 13-1.

Dunlap pushed their record up to 21-5 with the victory, which was their 14th straight at home. The home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.3 runs on average over those games. As for Limestone, their loss dropped their record down to 3-18.

Dunlap skirted past Limestone 5-3 when the teams last played back in April. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Eagles since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.