Normal Community is 0-3 against East Peoria since March of 2016 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Tuesday. The Normal Community Ironmen will head out on the road to face off against the East Peoria Raiders at 4:30 p.m. Normal Community is strutting in with some hitting muscle, as they've averaged 6.6 runs per game this season.
After only one run in their last match, Normal Community made sure to put some runs up on the board against Tolono Unity on Thursday. Everything went Normal Community's way against Tolono Unity as Normal Community made off with a 13-6 win. Normal Community's hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Tessa Bittner was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she struck out seven batters over seven innings while giving up five earned (and one unearned) runs off 12 hits. Bittner has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive pitching appearances. Bittner was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in three of her five plate appearances with an RBI.
In other batting news, Normal Community got a massive performance out of McKenna Baughman, who fired off two home runs and five RBI while going 2-for-5. Another player making a difference was Madison Ummel, who scored two runs while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances.
East Peoria proved they can win big last Saturday (they won by 12) but on Wednesday they proved they can win the close ones too. Their pitchers stepped up to hand Pontiac a 2-0 shutout.
Normal Community's record is now 2-5. As for East Peoria, their record now sits at 2-0.
Normal Community came up short against East Peoria in their previous matchup back in March of 2023, falling 9-6. 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
