Softball Game Preview: Beecher Bobcats vs. Carterville Lions

The Beecher Bobcats will square off against the Carterville Lions at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. The last five games Beecher has played have been within two runs, so don't be surprised if it's a close one.

Beecher is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Friday. They narrowly escaped with a victory as the squad sidled past Auburn 4-2. Four seems to be a good number for the Bobcats as the team scooped up a win with the same number of runs in their previous game.

Beecher's victory was truly a team effort as six different players contributed at least one hit. One of them was Tayiah Scanlan, who went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases and one RBI. That's the most stolen bases Scanlan has posted since back in May of 2024.

Meanwhile, Carterville entered their tilt with North Boone on Friday with six consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with seven. They walked away with a 5-1 win over the Vikings.

Caidence Phillips spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned run on two hits and racked up seven Ks. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in 25 consecutive appearances.

Beecher's victory bumped their record up to 36-2. As for Carterville, their win bumped their record up to 29-4.

Saturday's matchup will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Beecher hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .407. However, it's not like Carterville struggles in that department as they've averaged .348. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance. Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other softball content.