Moline is preparing for their first conference matchup of the season on Tuesday. They will venture away from home to take on the Rock Island Rocks at 4:30 p.m. Moline has given up an average of 9.3 runs per game this season, but Tuesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Moline lost 23-4 to Blackman on Sunday. The Maroons have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
Morgan Mulliken was cooking despite her team's loss, going a perfect 2-for-2 with one run, one double, and one RBI. That double was her first of the season.
Rock Island came out on top against Pearl City on Saturday thanks in part to the team's impressive seven-run second inning. The Rocks put the hurt on the Wolves with a sharp 14-4 win. The Rocks' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Tinley James tossed a big game, tossing 4.2 innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off three hits.
At the plate, Ella DeJonghe was a standout: she went 2-for-3 with one home run and five RBI. Those five RBI gave her a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Jaylee James, who went 3-for-4 with three RBI, two runs, and one stolen base.
Rock Island always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .613. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Pearl City only posted an OBP of .381.
Moline now has a losing record of 4-5. As for Rock Island, the victory got them back to even at 2-2.
Fans could be in store for some top-tier slugging on Tuesday. Moline hasn't had any problems when it comes to power this season, having averaged 0.6 home runs per game. However, it's not like Rock Island struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 0.8 home runs. With so much power on both teams, it'll be down to the pitchers to keep the mound locked down.
Moline came up short against Rock Island when the teams last played back in April of 2025, falling 4-0. Can the Maroons avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.