Panthers
| 03/25/26 @ Moline | 8 |
| 03/21/26 vs Mt. Vernon | 4 |
| 03/21/26 vs Joliet West | 1 |
| 03/20/26 vs Highland | 15 |
| 03/19/26 vs Mt. Zion | 3 |
Washington hasn't had much luck against Normal University recently, but that could start to change on Saturday. The Panthers will face off against the Pioneers at 11:00 a.m. Washington is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.2 runs per game this season.
Washington is headed into the matchup having just suffered their closest defeat since April 26, 2025 on Wednesday. They fell just short of Moline by a score of 10-8. The pitching woes were uncharacteristic for the Panthers, who until this game were averaging 3.6 runs allowed.
Washington got a good showing from Isaac Perez, who pitched four innings while giving up three earned runs off four hits. What's more, Perez gave up only one walk, the fewest he's had since back in May of 2025.
At the plate, Washington got a big performance out of Sam Peters, who went 2-for-4 with one home run. That home run marked the first that Peters has launched this season. Anson Zaiser was another key player, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with one home run.
Meanwhile, after soaring to 11 runs the game before, Normal University was a bit more limited in their contest on Thursday. They fell 6-2 to Metamora. The matchup marked the Pioneers' lowest-scoring game so far this season.
Normal University also got a good showing from Colton Carpenter, who tossed four innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off six hits.
On the hitting side, Normal University saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Rhett Lynch, who went 1-for-3 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
Having lost for the first time this season, Normal University fell to 5-1. As for Washington, their loss dropped their record down to 3-2.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Saturday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Washington has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Normal University struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Washington might still be hurting after the 14-7 defeat they got from Normal University when the teams last played back in March of 2025. Can the Panthers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
