Sparta hasn't had much luck against Red Bud recently, but that could start to change on Tuesday. The Bulldogs will face off against the Musketeers at 4:30 p.m. Sparta is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.9 runs per game this season.
The home team had won the previous three meetings between Sparta and DuQuoin, and DuQuoin kept the tradition alive. The Bulldogs took a 9-5 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Indians on Friday.
Kenzie Pierce was cooking despite her team's loss, going 2-for-4 with one home run and two runs. Another player making a difference was Emma Stork, who went 2-for-4 with two RBI and one double.
16 must be Red Bud's lucky number: they beat Wesclin with that score not once but twice on Thursday. The Musketeers beat the Warriors by the very same score they won with in their prior game: 16-2. The result was nothing new for the Musketeers, who have now won six contests by six runs or more so far this season.
Olivia Geralds made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run while striking out eight over 5.2 innings pitched. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 14 consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with four RBI, one run, and one double. That's the most RBI she has posted since back in April of 2024.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Peyton Kreher, who went 1-for-3 with three stolen bases, three runs, and two RBI. That's the most runs she has posted since back in April of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Ava Wagner, who went 3-for-5 with two stolen bases, three runs, and one RBI.
Red Bud kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 13 hits. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Wesclin only managed seven hits.
Red Bud's win was their fifth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 14-6. The home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.4 runs over those games. As for Sparta, their loss dropped their record down to 8-13.
Tuesday's matchup will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Sparta hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .352. However, it's not like Red Bud struggles in that department as they've averaged .375. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Sparta might still be hurting after the 20-1 defeat they got from Red Bud in their previous matchup back in May of 2024. Can the Bulldogs avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
