Westville is on a five-game streak of home losses, and La Lumiere a three-game streak of away losses. However, someone's due for a change in luck on Tuesday. The Westville Blackhawks will welcome the La Lumiere Lakers at 4:30 p.m. Westville has given up an average of 10.3 runs per game this season, but Tuesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Kouts hit Westville with a six-run third inning on Monday, which goes a long way in explaining the final result. The Blackhawks came up short against the Mustangs & Fillies, falling 13-3.
Jackson Pilarski made the most of his time at bat despite the final result and went a perfect 2-for-2 with one stolen base and two RBI.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask La Lumiere). They put the hurt on South Bend Career Academy with a sharp 25-6 victory on Monday. With that win, the Lakers brought their scoring average up to 6.6 runs per game.
Sam Cleveland was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he struck out seven batters over five innings while giving up just one earned (and five unearned) runs off four hits (and only one walk). Those seven strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with two runs and one triple.
In other batting news, Brady Monaghan was a standout: he went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and four RBI. That home run marked the first that he has launched this season. Charlie Peck was another key player, getting on base in three of his five plate appearances with one home run, three runs, and three RBI.
La Lumiere always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .634. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Westville's defeat dropped their record down to 4-7. As for La Lumiere, their victory bumped their record up to 3-4.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Westville has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.1 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like La Lumiere struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.3 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Westville skirted past La Lumiere 2-0 in their previous matchup back in April of 2024. Will the Blackhawks repeat their success, or do the Lakers have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
