The Oakwood Comets will take on the Covington Trojans at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Oakwood is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.4 runs per game this season.
Oakwood barely beat Hoopeston the last time the pair played, but that sure wasn't the case this time around. The Comets were the clear victors by a 15-9 margin over the Cornjerkers on Monday. The win was some much needed relief for the Comets as it spelled an end to their three-game losing streak.
Irene Rangel was incredible, going a perfect 4-for-4 with four runs, two stolen bases, and four RBI. That's the most stolen bases she has posted since back in March. Another player making a difference was Emberlyn Schull, who got on base in three of her five plate appearances with two stolen bases and three runs.
Oakwood always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .523. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their OBP total in three consecutive matchups.
Meanwhile, Covington won against Parke Heritage on Friday with nine runs and they decided to stick to that run total again on Monday. The Trojans narrowly escaped with a victory as the team sidled past North Montgomery 9-7. While the Trojans didn't have the best season last year (they finished 11-16), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past.
Ava Stein spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and four unearned) runs on five hits and racked up six Ks.
On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Lauren Hardy, who got on base in three of her five plate appearances with two stolen bases, one run, and one RBI. She has been hot, having posted two or more stolen bases the last five times she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Caydence Peaslee, who went 1-for-4 with one triple, one run, and one RBI.
Oakwood's win bumped their record up to 12-8. As for Covington, their victory bumped their record up to 8-4.
Tuesday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Oakwood hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .328. However, it's not like Covington struggles in that department as they've averaged .383. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Everything went Oakwood's way against Covington in their previous matchup back in April of 2025, as Oakwood made off with a 12-2 win. Will the Comets repeat their success, or do the Trojans have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
