The Normal Community Ironmen will face off against the Washington Panthers at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Normal Community 2.8, Washington 3.9) so any runs scored will be well earned.
Normal Community took a loss when they played away from home on Wednesday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Friday. Everything went their way against Normal West as they made off with a 12-2 win. Considering the Ironmen have won seven matchups by more than five runs this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.
Gavin Swartz was a major factor no matter where he played. On the mound, he struck out nine batters over five innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off three hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't tossed less than nine strikeouts in four consecutive appearances. He was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with three RBI, one stolen base, and one run. Those three RBI gave him a new career-high.
In other pitching news, Jonah Roper looked comfortable as he tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than one hit any time he's pitched this season.
Kyle Beaty
| 04/25/25 vs Normal West | 5 |
| 04/11/25 @ Champaign Central | 3 |
| 04/12/25 @ Rock Island | 1 |
| 04/08/25 @ Peoria Notre Dame | 1 |
| 03/31/25 vs Peoria Notre Dame | 1 |
Back at the plate, the team relied heavily on Kyle Beaty, who went 2-for-5 with one home run and five RBI. Those five RBI gave him a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Carter Harris, who went 2-for-3 with two runs, one double, and one RBI.
Normal Community always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .541. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Normal West only posted an OBP of .292.
Meanwhile, Washington waltzed into their game on Wednesday with two straight wins... but they left with three. They came out on top against the Rockets by a score of 6-3. The home team had taken home the W every time these teams have met since April 15, 2024, but that streak is no more.
Eli Roedell was excellent, going 1-for-2 with one home run. That home run marked the first that he has launched this season. Another player making a difference was Micah McCoy, who went 1-for-3 with two RBI, one run, and one double.
Normal Community's victory was their eighth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 13-4. Those home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 13.0 runs over those games. As for Washington, their victory bumped their record up to 13-6.
