Softball Game Preview: Illinois Valley Central Grey Ghosts vs. St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans

Grey Ghosts

Runs

03/28/25 @ Midland	18
03/27/25 vs Illini Bluffs	6
03/25/25 vs Streator	12
03/24/25 vs Pontiac	1
03/21/25 @ Princeton	4
03/18/25 @ Limestone	11

The Illinois Valley Central Grey Ghosts will face off against the St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. Illinois Valley Central is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.7 runs per game this season.

Illinois Valley Central gave up the first runs on Friday, but they didn't let that get them down. They put the hurt on Midland with a sharp 18-3 victory. That 15 run margin sets a new team best for the Grey Ghosts this season.

Jensyn Gustafson made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out eight batters over six innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off eight hits (and only one walk). She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks any time she's pitched this season. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with one RBI.

In other batting news, Morgan Ellington and Joharah Boze did most of the damage at the plate: Ellington went 3-for-4 with one triple, two RBI, and one run, while Boze scored three runs while going 2-for-4. That triple was Ellington's first of the season. Madeline Bazyn was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 2-for-3.

Illinois Valley Central kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 16 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least eight hits in three consecutive contests.

Meanwhile, St. Joseph-Ogden came up short against Champaign Central on Wednesday and fell 10-7.

The win got Illinois Valley Central back to even at 3-3. As for St. Joseph-Ogden, their loss dropped their record down to 2-4.

Illinois Valley Central couldn't quite get it done against St. Joseph-Ogden when the teams last played back in March of 2024 as they fell 4-0. Can Illinois Valley Central avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.