Baseball Game Preview: Wauconda Bulldogs vs. Round Lake Panthers

For the second straight game, Wauconda will face off against Round Lake. The Bulldogs will look to defend their home field on Wednesday against the Panthers at 4:45 p.m. One thing working in Wauconda's favor is that they have posted at least ten runs in their last four matches.

Wauconda had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 12-run drubbing they dealt Round Lake on Tuesday. The Bulldogs blew past the Panthers 13-1. The Bulldogs haven't had any issues with the Panthers recently, as the game was their eighth consecutive win against them.

Patrick Shannon spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: he surrendered only one earned run on four hits and racked up six Ks. He is becoming a predictor of Wauconda's success: when he allows at most two earned runs the team is 5-1 (and 9-10 when he doesn't).

Luke Sickmeir

Runs (Career)

05/06/25 @ Round Lake	3
04/30/25 @ Grant Community	2
04/29/25 vs Grant Community	2
04/24/25 vs Grayslake North	2
04/23/25 @ Grayslake North	2

At the plate, the team relied heavily on Luke Sickmeir, who went 2-for-4 with one home run, three runs, and one stolen base. Those three runs gave him a new career-high. Brody Rudolph was another key player, going 2-for-4 with one home run and two RBI.

They weren't the only ones making solid contact: Wauconda kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least eight hits in nine consecutive contests.

Wauconda's victory bumped their record up to 14-11. As for Round Lake, they dropped their record down to 3-16 with the loss, which was their sixth straight at home.

Round Lake's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Wauconda hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .351. It's a different story for Round Lake, though, as they've only averaged .227. Will they be able to contain Wauconda's hitters? Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other baseball content.