Centennial is 0-9 against Normal West since April of 2016 but things could change on Thursday. The Chargers will challenge the Wildcats at 4:30 p.m. Centennial has given up an average of 8.8 runs per game this season, but Thursday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Centennial lost 15-1 to Peoria Notre Dame on Monday.
Centennial saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Sydney Hall, who went 1-for-3 with one run and one double.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Normal West). They blew past Bloomington 16-6 on Tuesday. Winning may never get old, but the Wildcats sure are getting used to it with their third in a row.
Kate McGowan spent all six innings played on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and three unearned) runs on nine hits and racked up six Ks.
On the hitting side, Normal West got a massive performance out of McKinley Pate, who got on base in all four of her plate appearances with five RBI, three runs, and one triple. Those three runs gave Pate a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Elsah Ganschow, who got on base in four of her five plate appearances with four runs, two stolen bases, and two RBI.
Normal West always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .550. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Centennial's loss dropped their record down to 2-11. As for Normal West, their record now sits at 6-9.
Centennial came up short against Normal West in their previous matchup back in April of 2025, falling 6-3. Can the Chargers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
