The Geneva Eagles will square off against the Madison Blue Streaks at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Geneva is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.2 runs per game this season.
Geneva is coming in off a wild two-game stretch: after soaring to 21 runs on Monday, they were much more limited against Perry on Wednesday. They came up short against the Pirates, falling 9-1. The home team had taken home the W every time these teams have met since April 29, 2022, but that streak is no more.
Claire Cafaro made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and scored a run while going 3-for-3. She also put up a double, which was her first of the season.
Meanwhile, while Madison put up some runs on Wednesday, the same can't be said for Lakeside. The Blue Streaks were the clear victors by a 10-0 margin over the Dragons. The Blue Streaks might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won four contests by six runs or more this season.
Kara Mekulsia made a splash no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only two hits while striking out 14 over six innings pitched. She has been consistent : she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts any time she's pitched this season. She was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring a run and stealing three bases while going 2-for-4. Those three stolen bases gave her a new career-high.
In other batting news, Madison got a massive performance out of Gianna LaMarco, who scored three runs and stole three bases while going 4-for-4. With that strong performance, LaMarco is now averaging an impressive 1.1 stolen bases per game. Tori Semple was another key player, getting on base in four of her five plate appearances with four RBI, two runs, and one double.
Madison always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .707. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Lakeside only posted an OBP of .217.
Madison's victory was their fifth straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 6-1. Those home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.0 run on average over those games. As for Geneva, their defeat dropped their record down to 3-5.
Thursday's match will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Geneva hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .340. However, it's not like Madison struggles in that department as they've averaged .419. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Geneva suffered a grim 9-3 defeat to Madison in their previous meeting back in April of 2024. Can the Eagles avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
