Bradley-Bourbonnais hasn't had much luck against Lincoln-Way Central recently, but that could start to change on Friday. The Boilermakers will square off against the Knights at 5:15 p.m. Each of these teams will be fighting to keep a win streak alive as Bradley-Bourbonnais comes in on four and Lincoln-Way Central on 14.
The scorekeeper got an easy start on Thursday as neither Bradley-Bourbonnais nor Manteno made it on the board until the fifth inning. The Boilermakers had just enough and edged out the Panthers 3-1.
Lydia Hammond
| 05/15/25 @ Manteno | 1 |
| 05/14/25 vs Andrew | 0 |
| 05/12/25 @ Homewood-Flossmoor | 2 |
| 05/09/25 vs Lincoln-Way West | 1 |
| 05/08/25 vs Bishop McNamara | 1 |
| 05/05/25 @ Lockport | 2 |
Lydia Hammond made a splash while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, tossing two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. She has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with one triple and one RBI. That triple was her first of the season.
Hammond wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Olivia Woolman, who went 1-for-4 with one run and one double.
Bradley-Bourbonnais hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their strikeout total in four consecutive matches.
Lincoln-Way Central came out on top against Sandburg on Wednesday thanks in part to the team's impressive eight-run second inning. The Knights blew past the Eagles 14-6. The result was nothing new for the Knights, who have now won 12 games by six runs or more so far this season.
Jalese Hays spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered five earned (and one unearned) runs on eight hits.
At the plate, Kayla Doerre was incredible, going 3-for-5 with one home run, three runs, and four RBI. Those four RBI gave her a new career-high. Jenna Labriola was another key player, going 4-for-5 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
Lincoln-Way Central's win was their 19th straight on the road dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 25-1. Those road victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.7 runs on average over those games. As for Bradley-Bourbonnais, their record now sits at 18-10.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Bradley-Bourbonnais has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Lincoln-Way Central struggles in that department as they've been averaging 12.3 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Bradley-Bourbonnais might still be hurting after the 8-0 defeat they got from Lincoln-Way Central when the teams last played back in April. Can the Boilermakers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
