The Carbondale Terriers are taking a road trip to square off against the Carterville Lions at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Carbondale is coming into the game hot, having won their last five games.
If Carbondale beats Carterville with 17 runs on Saturday, it's going to be the team's new lucky number: they've won their past two matches with that exact score. The Terriers didn't even let Cahokia on the board on Thursday, marking the Terriers' second-straight 17-0 shutout. The result was nothing new for the Terriers, who have now won four contests by six runs or more so far this season.
Anniston Thompson was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Thompson was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs while getting on base in both of her plate appearances.
In other batting news, Aryn Vaughn was a standout: she scored three runs and stole two bases while going 2-for-2. Zeppelynn Burkey was another key player, scoring a run while going 2-for-2.
Carbondale always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .871. The last time their OBP was this high was back in April of 2024.
Harrisburg typically has all the answers at home, but on Friday Carterville proved too difficult a challenge. Their pitcher stepped up to hand the Bulldogs a 3-0 shutout. The win continues a trend for the Lions in their matchups with the Bulldogs: they've now won six in a row.
Like Carbondale, Carterville also got a great game from a two-way player: Caidence Phillips. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only one hit while striking out 13 over seven innings pitched. Phillips has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than nine strikeouts in eight consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with one home run.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Lainey Workman, who went 2-for-3 with one home run and one double.
Carbondale's record is now 5-3. As for Carterville, their record now sits at 9-2.
Carbondale's speedy runners might be the difference in Saturday's game. The Terriers have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.2 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Carterville, though, as they've been averaging only 1 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Carbondale continue to outrun the ball?
Carbondale might still be hurting after the 10-0 loss they got from Carterville when the teams last played back in April of 2024. Can the Terriers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
