The Beecher Bobcats are taking a road trip to take on the Munster Mustangs at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Beecher will come into the match with an undefeated record on the line.
Munster's hitters are going to have their work cut out for them on Thursday: Beecher hadn't allowed a single run the last three times they've hit the field. The Bobcats put the hurt on Donovan with a sharp 18-0 victory on Tuesday. The Bobcats might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won seven contests by seven runs or more this season.
Taylor Norkus made a splash while hitting and pitching. She kept things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out eight over four innings pitched. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in five consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, going a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI, one triple, and one run.
In other batting news, Makenzie Johnson was incredible, getting on base in all three of her plate appearances with three runs, one triple, and one RBI. That triple marked the first that she hit this season. Another player making a difference was Elena Kvasnicka, who scored a run while going 2-for-2.
Beecher 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 19 consecutive games dating back to last season.
Meanwhile, Munster faced Andrean in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Tuesday. The Mustangs narrowly escaped with a win as the team sidled past the Fighting 59ers 7-6.
Like Beecher, Munster also got a great game from a two-way player: Kaylee O'Connell. On the mound, O'Connell pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Ally Compton struck out eight batters over seven innings while giving up just two earned (and four unearned) runs off five hits. At the plate, O'Connell scored a run while going 2-for-5, while Compton went 4-for-5 with one RBI. Those four hits gave Compton a new career-high.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Cece Mason, who got on base in three of her five plate appearances with one home run and four RBI. That's the most RBI she has posted since back in May of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Caroline Wendlinger, who got three hits from her four at bats.
Beecher pushed their record up to 8-0 with the victory, which was their 21st straight on the road dating back to last season. The team's perfect season has a lot to do with their hitting performance: the team's won by an average of 9.8 runs thus far. As for Munster, their record now sits at 8-2.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Beecher has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 11 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Munster struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.2 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Beecher beat Munster 6-3 in their previous matchup back in May of 2016. Do the Bobcats have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Mustangs turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
