Proviso East is 0-10 against Willowbrook since April of 2018 but things could change on Friday. The Pirates will face off against the Warriors at 4:45 p.m. Proviso East has given up an average of 18.5 runs per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Proviso East is headed into Friday's matchup looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their eighth straight game on Wednesday. They lost 15-0 to Leyden.
Meanwhile, Willowbrook entered their tilt with Hinsdale South on Wednesday with two consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with three. They were the clear victors by a 13-3 margin over the Hornets.
Isabel Bates made a splash while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching six innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off six hits. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two doubles, two RBI, and one run. That's the most RBI she has posted since back in April.
In other batting news, Sonia Ruchala was incredible, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, four runs, and five RBI. The dominant performance also gave her a new career-high in doubles (two). Marli Smrz was another key player, going 3-for-4 with three runs and two doubles.
Willowbrook was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .433. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their batting average total in four consecutive contests.
Willowbrook pushed their record up to 11-7 with the win, which was their third straight on the road. The road victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.0 runs on average over those games. As for Proviso East, their defeat dropped their record down to 1-10.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Friday as neither team is afraid to steal. Proviso East has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 4.6 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Willowbrook struggles in that department as they've been averaging 3.8 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Proviso East suffered a grim 15-3 defeat to Willowbrook when the teams last played back in May of 2024. Can the Pirates avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
