The East Moline United Panthers will head out to challenge the Moline Maroons at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, these teams will really light up the scoreboard.
East Moline United took a loss when they played away from home on Monday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Tuesday. They were the clear victors by a 17-3 margin over Quincy. The high-scoring performance was a welcome turnaround for the Panthers' hitters, who had struggled in the games prior.
Samantha Verstraete was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Verstraete was also big at the plate, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 2-for-4.
Miah Berhenke
| 04/15/25 vs Quincy | 7 |
| 03/21/24 vs Riverdale | 5 |
| 05/07/24 @ Quincy | 3 |
| 04/25/24 vs Geneseo | 3 |
| 04/06/24 @ Washington | 3 |
In other batting news, Miah Berhenke was incredible, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, seven RBI, and four runs. Those seven RBI gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Mea Johnson, who went 1-for-2 with one home run.
East Moline United was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .464. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Quincy only posted a batting average of .250.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Moline). They blew past Galesburg 16-3 on Tuesday. The win continues a trend for the Maroons in their matchups with the Silver Streaks: they've now won nine in a row.
Like East Moline United, Moline also got a great game from a two-way player: Kayley Reynolds. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out eight batters over four innings while giving up just two earned runs off two hits. Reynolds has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in four consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, going a perfect 4-for-4 with one home run, six RBI, and one triple.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Emersyn Rasso, who fired off two home runs, three runs, and three RBI while going 3-for-4. Gianna DeLeon was another key player, getting on base in three of her four plate appearances with one home run and three RBI.
East Moline United's record now sits at 7-4. As for Moline, they picked up their first home victory, bumping their record up to 5-9.
Thursday's matchup will be a test for both teams' pitchers. East Moline United hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .315. However, it's not like Moline struggles in that department as they've averaged .330. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
East Moline United came up short against Moline when the teams last played back in May of 2024, falling 6-1. Can the Panthers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
