The East Moline United Panthers will face off against the Moline Maroons at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. East Moline United is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.8 runs per game this season.
East Moline United proved they can win big on Thursday (they won by 16) and on Monday they proved they can win the close ones too. They skirted past Sherrard 9-8. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Panthers have posted since April 17th.
Samantha Verstraete made a big impact no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in nine consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 1-for-4 with one stolen base and two RBI.
Kendall Crawford
| 05/12/25 vs Sherrard | 4 |
| 04/29/25 @ Geneseo | 2 |
| 04/23/24 @ Galesburg | 2 |
| 05/06/25 @ Rock Island | 1 |
| 05/01/25 @ Sterling | 1 |
In other batting news, Kendall Crawford was incredible, going a perfect 4-for-4 with one home run and three runs. Those four hits gave her a new career-high. Miah Berhenke was another key player, going 3-for-4 with one run.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Moline). They blew past Galesburg 33-3 on Thursday. The Maroons might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won eight matchups by six runs or more this season.
Like East Moline United, Moline also got a great game from a two-way player: Morgan Mulliken. On the mound, she tossed four innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off three hits. Mulliken was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in four of her five plate appearances with three RBI, one run, and one double.
In other batting news, Kaylee Dennis was a standout: she went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and four RBI. Another player making a difference was Gianna DeLeon, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, four RBI, and one double.
Moline always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .792. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
East Moline United has been performing well recently as they've won six of their last eight games. That's provided a nice bump to their 14-9 record this season. The victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.0 runs on average over those games. As for Moline, their win ended a four-game drought on the road and puts them at 10-15.
Tuesday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. East Moline United hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .336. However, it's not like Moline struggles in that department as they've averaged .333. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
East Moline United skirted past Moline 8-7 when the teams last played back in April. Do the Panthers have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Maroons turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
