The Naperville Central Redhawks will head out to face off against the Metea Valley Mustangs at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. Naperville Central has given up an average of 6.7 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Naperville Central is headed into the contest having just suffered their biggest defeat since May 18, 2024 on Saturday. They lost 11-5 to St. Charles North. The Redhawks have struggled against the North Stars recently, as the game was their sixth consecutive lost meeting.
Cali Lenz was cooking despite her team's loss, going 2-for-3 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. That home run marked the first that she has launched this season. Another player making a difference was Jamie Saran, who went 1-for-3 with one home run and two RBI.
Meanwhile, Metea Valley posted their closest win since May 10, 2024 on Wednesday. They came out on top in a nail-biter against Naperville North, sneaking past 2-0. The Mustangs haven't had any issues with the Huskies recently, as the game was their fifth consecutive victory against them.
Not much got past Charlie Benesh, who gave up just three hits and racked up 12 Ks to keep Naperville North off the board. Benesh has been consistent recently: she hasn't tossed less than seven strikeouts in four consecutive appearances.
On the hitting side, Metea Valley saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Maielle Ernser, who went 1-for-4 with one stolen base, one run, and one double.
Metea Valley's win was their first in the conference, bumping their conference record up to 1-2 and their overall record up to 4-9. As for Naperville Central, they now have a losing record of 7-8.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Naperville Central has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Metea Valley struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 7.2 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Naperville Central came up short against Metea Valley when the teams last played back in May of 2024, falling 6-2. Can the Redhawks avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
