The DeKalb Barbs will square off against the Dixon Dukes & Duchesses at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. DeKalb has given up an average of 7 runs per game this season, but Thursday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
DeKalb will bounce into Thursday's match after beating Metea Valley, who they had gone 1-8 against in their nine prior meetings. The Barbs walked away with a 17-14 win over the Mustangs on Wednesday. Considering the Barbs' hitters had been struggling lately, the high-scoring outing was a much-needed turnaround.
Isabel Aranda was a standout: she went 4-for-5 with one home run and four runs. That's the most runs she has posted since back in March. Another player making a difference was Madison Hallaron, who went 3-for-5 with three runs and three RBI.
DeKalb was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .450. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Metea Valley only posted a batting average of .267.
Meanwhile, it may have taken eight innings to finish the job, but Dixon ultimately got the result they hoped for on Monday. They came out on top against Winnebago by a score of 9-4. The victory was some much needed relief for the Dukes & Duchesses as it spelled an end to their three-game losing streak.
Allie Abell made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out 12 batters over eight innings while giving up three earned (and one unearned) runs off seven hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in seven consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 3-for-5 with three RBI, one stolen base, and one double. That double was her first of the season.
In other batting news, Dixon let Delaney Bruce and Bailey Tegeler run wild. Bruce got on base in four of her five plate appearances with two stolen bases and two runs, while Tegeler went 3-for-5 with two runs, two RBI, and one double. Breanna Tegeler was another key player, going 3-for-5 with two stolen bases and one run.
DeKalb pushed their record up to 16-14 with the win, which was their fifth straight on the road. Those road victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.6 runs over those games. As for Dixon, their win bumped their record up to 9-10.
Dixon's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: DeKalb hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .324. It's a different story for Dixon, though, as they've only averaged .247. Will they be able to contain DeKalb's hitters?
DeKalb might still be hurting after the 11-1 defeat they got from Dixon in their previous meeting back in May of 2022. Can the Barbs avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
