The Moline Maroons are taking a road trip to take on the East Moline United Panthers at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Both come into the contest bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Moline is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They blew past Galesburg 33-3 on Thursday. The high-flying hitting performance was a huge turnaround for the Maroons considering their two-run performance the matchup before.
Morgan Mulliken was a major factor no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching four innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off three hits. What's more, she posted two strikeouts, the most she's had since back in March. She was also big at the plate, getting on base in four of her five plate appearances with three RBI, one run, and one double.
Kaylee Dennis
| 05/08/25 @ Galesburg | 2 |
| 05/05/25 vs Quincy | 1 |
| 04/10/25 @ Geneseo | 1 |
| 05/13/24 @ East Moline United | 1 |
| 04/25/24 @ Alleman | 1 |
In other batting news, Moline got a massive performance out of Kaylee Dennis, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and four RBI. The dominant performance also gave Dennis a new career-high in doubles (two). Gianna DeLeon was another key player, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, four RBI, and one double.
Moline always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .792. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
East Moline United came out on top against Sherrard on Monday thanks in part to the team's impressive five-run seventh inning. The Panthers narrowly escaped with a win as the team sidled past the Tigers 9-8. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Panthers.
Like Moline, East Moline United also got a great game from a two-way player: Samantha Verstraete. On the mound, she tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Verstraete has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in nine consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-4 with one stolen base and two RBI.
In other batting news, Kendall Crawford was incredible, going a perfect 4-for-4 with one home run and three runs. That home run marked the first that she has launched this season. Another player making a difference was Miah Berhenke, who went 3-for-4 with one run.
East Moline United's victory was their fourth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 14-9. The home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 14.3 runs over those games. As for Moline, their victory ended a four-game drought on the road and puts them at 10-15.
Tuesday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Moline hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .333. However, it's not like East Moline United struggles in that department as they've averaged .336. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance. Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other softball content.
