The DeKalb Barbs will challenge the Jacobs Eagles at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. DeKalb has given up an average of 7.8 runs per game this season, but Saturday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Jacobs will be up against a hot DeKalb squad: the team just extended their winning streak to three. The Barbs came within a single run of losing the streak, but they secured a 12-11 W against Metea Valley. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Barbs have posted since March 28, 2025.
Addison McKiness
| 04/17/26 vs Metea Valley | 1 |
| 04/08/26 vs Oswego East | 1 |
| 04/06/26 @ Sterling | 2 |
| 03/21/26 vs Waterloo | 1 |
| 03/21/26 vs Hall | 1 |
| 03/20/26 vs Biggsville West Central | 1 |
Addison McKiness was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She pitched 5.1 innings while giving up just one earned (and five unearned) runs off ten hits. She has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, getting on base in four of her five plate appearances with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI. That stolen base marked the first that she has snagged this season.
In other batting news, Cassidy Cavazos and Kennedy Latimer did most of the damage at the plate: Cavazos got on base in four of her five plate appearances with two runs and one RBI, while Latimer went 2-for-4 with two runs, two RBI, and one double. That double was Latimer's first of the season. Jeanne Howard was another key player, going 1-for-4 with two RBI, one run, and one double.
Meanwhile, Jacobs earned a 5-1 win over Crystal Lake Central on Thursday.
Like DeKalb, Jacobs also got a great game from a two-way player: Emily Popilek. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only two hits over seven innings pitched. Popilek was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with one home run and three RBI.
Popilek wasn't the only one making solid contact as three players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Olivia Fillipp, who went 3-for-4 with one run. That's the most hits Fillipp has posted since back in March.
DeKalb's victory bumped their record up to 6-4. As for Jacobs, their win bumped their record up to 8-9.
DeKalb was able to grind out a solid victory over Jacobs in their previous matchup back in April of 2018, winning 13-10. Will the Barbs repeat their success, or do the Eagles have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
