Illinois Valley Central had won four straight at home, but on Monday they bumped their record up to 15-10 to make it five. They walked away with a 5-1 victory over the Prairie Central Hawks. The win continues a trend for the Grey Ghosts in their matchups with the Hawks: they've now won six in a row.
Grant Bramer spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: he surrendered only one earned run on five hits and racked up nine Ks. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances.
Brody Garceau
| 05/05/25 vs Prairie Central | 3 |
| 05/03/25 vs Rantoul | 2 |
| 04/26/25 vs St. Joseph-Ogden | 2 |
| 04/12/25 @ Monticello | 2 |
| 05/01/25 @ Morton | 1 |
At the plate, Brody Garceau was incredible, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI. Those three hits gave him a new career-high. Keegan Schol was another key player, going 2-for-3 with two doubles, one run, and one RBI.
Illinois Valley Central hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. The team has now struck out at least five batters in three consecutive games.
As for Prairie Central, they have traveled a rocky road recently, having lost eight of their last nine contests. That's put a noticeable dent in their 5-18 record this season. Their defeat continues a trend for the squad, making it seven in a row.
On Prairie Central's side, Collin Hartman put in work no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. That one hit allowed gave Hartman a new career-low. He was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with one double and one RBI.
Hartman wasn't the only one making solid contact as three players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Easton Friedman, who went 1-for-3 with one run.
Coming up, Illinois Valley Central will head out to challenge Deer Creek-Mackinaw at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The Grey Ghosts are facing the Chiefs at the right time seeing as the Chiefs are stuck on a four-game losing streak. As for Prairie Central, they will host Eureka at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The Hornets will roll in looking for their sixth straight victory, something the Hawks surely won't give up without a fight.
