The Illini Bluffs Tigers will take on the Eureka Hornets at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. The two teams are sauntering into the matchup backed by comfortable wins in their prior games.
Illini Bluffs is looking to give their home crowd another W after opening their season at home on Tuesday. Everything went their way against Astoria/VIT as they made off with a 15-1 victory. The win continues a trend for the Tigers in their matchups with the Rebels: they've now won eight in a row.
Morgan Patterson
| 03/24/26 vs Astoria/VIT | 6 |
| 05/02/25 vs Princeville | 4 |
| 03/26/25 vs Peoria | 4 |
| 04/17/25 @ Brimfield | 2 |
| 04/24/25 @ Mt. Pulaski | 1 |
Justis Dugger and Morgan Patterson were major factors while hitting and pitching. On the mound, Dugger tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Patterson struck out six batters over three innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits. Those six strikeouts gave him a new career-high. At bat, Dugger got on base in all four of his plate appearances with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run, while Patterson went 2-for-3 with two RBI and one run.
In other batting news, Illini Bluffs got a massive performance out of Grant Cruit, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one double. That's the most runs Cruit has posted since back in March of 2025. Another player making a difference was Brayden Fargher, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Illini Bluffs always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .677. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Astoria/VIT only posted an OBP of .375.
Eureka came out on top against Midwest Central on Thursday thanks in part to the team's impressive seven-run sixth inning. The Hornets put the hurt on the Raiders with a sharp 10-1 victory.
Like Illini Bluffs, Eureka also got a great game from a two-way player: Bryn Mayo. He didn't allow a single earned run over six innings pitched. Mayo was also big at the plate, going 1-for-4 with two runs and two RBI.
In other batting news, John Martin was excellent, going 2-for-4 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run. Devon Wiles was another key player, going 2-for-4 with two RBI, one run, and one double.
Illini Bluffs suffered a grim 19-4 defeat to Eureka when the teams last played back in March of 2025. Will the Tigers have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
