Donovan is 0-10 against Beecher since April of 2021 but things could change on Tuesday. The Wildcats will square off against the Bobcats at 4:30 p.m. Both teams are coming into the contest red-hot, with Donovan sitting on three straight victories and Beecher on 29 (dating back to last season).
Donovan had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 15-run drubbing they dealt Illinois Lutheran on Thursday. The Wildcats were the clear victors by a 17-2 margin over the Chargers.
The team relied heavily on Lily Anderson, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with two triples, three RBI, and two runs. Those two triples gave her a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Piper Michl, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with four RBI and one run.
Donovan always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .545. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Illinois Lutheran only posted an OBP of .250.
Meanwhile, Beecher was not the first on the board on Thursday, but they got there more often. They blew past Reed-Custer 16-4. The Bobcats might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won 14 matchups by nine runs or more this season.
Taylor Norkus spent all six innings played on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and one unearned) runs on eight hits and racked up seven Ks. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than one walk in three consecutive appearances.
On the hitting side, Beecher let Makenzie Johnson and Grace Wuest run wild. Johnson got on base in all five of her plate appearances with four runs, one triple, and two RBI, while Wuest went 2-for-5 with seven RBI, two doubles, and one run. Karsyn Kasput was another key player, going 1-for-3 with three runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Donovan's record now sits at 9-5. As for Beecher, their record is now 20-0.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Donovan has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Beecher struggles in that department as they've been averaging 9.4 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Donovan might still be hurting after the 18-0 loss they got from Beecher in their previous meeting back in April of 2025. Can the Wildcats avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
