Normal Community and Mt. Zion are an even 4-4 against one another since April of 2016, but likely not for long. The Normal Community Ironmen will be staying on the road on Tuesday to face off against the Mt. Zion Braves at 4:15 p.m. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the pair posted some lofty run totals in their previous games.
Normal Community scored the most runs they've had all season to find success on Saturday. They walked away with a 17-12 victory over Champaign Central. The win was just what Normal Community needed coming off of a 16-6 loss in their prior matchup.
Madison Ummel and McKenna Baughman did most of the damage at the plate: Ummel scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-4, while Baughman went 3-for-4 with a home run and four runs. The team also got some help courtesy of Carson Damery, who went 2-for-6 with three RBI and two doubles.
Meanwhile, Mt. Zion put another one in the bag on Saturday to keep their perfect season alive. They blew past Taylorville 11-5. The result was nothing new for Mt. Zion, who have now won nine games by six runs or more so far this season.
Nikki Ellegood made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out seven batters over seven innings while giving up four earned (and one unearned) runs off nine hits. Ellegood has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive pitching appearances. Ellegood was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run while going 3-for-4.
In other batting news, Avelyn Ethell and Addy Rotz did most of the damage at the plate: Ethell scored two runs and stole three bases while going 2-for-3, while Rotz scored two runs and stole a base while going 3-for-4. Another player making a difference was Karlie Teel, who scored two runs while going 2-for-3.
Normal Community's record now sits at 4-8. As for Mt. Zion, their victory was their 12th straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 12-0.
Both both teams just can't seem to miss. Normal Community has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 9 hits per game. However, it's not like Mt. Zion struggles in that department as they've been averaging only 4.9. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Normal Community couldn't quite finish off Mt. Zion when the teams last played back in April of 2023 and fell 7-5. Can Normal Community avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
