Pekin is preparing for their first conference matchup of the season on Tuesday. They are taking a road trip to square off against the Dunlap Eagles at 4:30 p.m. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Pekin 3.9, Dunlap 2.6) so any runs scored will be well earned.
Dunlap will be up against a hot Pekin squad: the team just extended their winning streak to five. The Dragons blew past Centennial 12-1 on Saturday. The result was nothing new for the Dragons, who have now won three matches by 11 runs or more so far this season.
Pekin let Kylea Siedell and Lily Towery run wild. Siedell went a perfect 2-for-2 with four RBI, two runs, and one double, while Towery scored three runs while getting on base in all three of her plate appearances. Ava Bradford also deserves some recognition as she snagged her first stolen base of the season.
Pekin was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .375. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .333 or higher in four consecutive contests.
Nine must be Dunlap's lucky number: they beat Normal Community with that score not once but twice on Saturday. The Eagles walked away with a 9-4 victory over the Ironmen. Winning may never get old, but the Eagles sure are getting used to it with their fourth in a row.
Mara Hindenburg was incredible, going 2-for-3 with four RBI, one stolen base, and one run. Rachel Mies was another key player, going 1-for-2 with two runs and one triple.
Pekin's record now sits at 6-1. As for Dunlap, their record is now 8-3.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Pekin has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Dunlap struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 9.5 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Pekin couldn't quite finish off Dunlap in their previous meeting back in May of 2024 and fell 3-1. Can the Dragons avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.