Softball Game Preview: Highland Park Giants vs. Maine South Hawks

The Highland Park Giants will venture away from home to challenge the Maine South Hawks at 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday. Highland Park's pitching crew has only allowed 3.3 runs per game this season, so Maine South's hitters will have their work cut out for them.

On Saturday, Highland Park was able to grind out a solid victory over Niles West, taking the game 5-2.

Lily Freedman

Batters Struck Out

04/26/25 @ Niles West	16
04/24/25 vs Evanston	14
04/22/25 vs New Trier	14
04/19/25 vs Hoffman Estates	17
04/17/25 @ Glenbrook South	12
+ 5 more games

Lily Freedman spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered two runs (both of which were unearned) on five hits and racked up 16 Ks. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts any time she's pitched this season.

On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Brooklyn Swick, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with three stolen bases, three runs, and one RBI. Another player making a difference was Marin Killeen, who went 2-for-4 with three stolen bases, two RBI, and one run.

Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Maine South, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Thursday. They narrowly escaped with a win as the team sidled past Whitney Young 7-6. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Hawks have posted since May 2, 2024.

Riley Story was excellent, going a perfect 2-for-2 with two doubles, two RBI, and one run. Those two doubles gave her a new career-high. Aribella Spandiary also deserves some recognition as she snagged her first stolen base of the season.

Maine South's win ended a three-game drought at home and bumped them up to 4-7. As for Highland Park, their record now sits at 6-4.

Highland Park might still be hurting after the 11-1 defeat they got from Maine South when the teams last played back in May of 2024. Can the Giants avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.