The Streator Bulldogs will take on the Manteno Panthers at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. The timing isn't great for Streator: they have been struggling with three straight losses at home, while Manteno has snatched up three consecutive wins on the road.
Streator couldn't beat Seneca on Friday even though they stacked five runs on them in the fifth inning. The Bulldogs fell 10-6 to the Fighting Irish.
Cole Winterrowd made the most of his time at bat despite the final result and went 1-for-3 with one triple, two RBI, and one run. That triple was his first of the season. Another player making a difference was Luke Bemont, who went 2-for-3 with one run and one double.
Meanwhile, Manteno won against Lisle on Tuesday with ten runs and they decided to stick to that run total again on Wednesday. The Panthers had just enough and edged out Oak Forest 10-9. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Panthers have posted since March 29th.
Maddoz Toepper was a standout: he went 3-for-4 with two runs, two doubles, and two RBI. Those two doubles gave him a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Quinn Borden, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs, one triple, and one RBI.
Manteno's victory bumped their record up to 13-4. As for Streator, their loss dropped their record down to 10-12.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Streator has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.5 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Manteno struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 7.8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Streator came out on top in a nail-biter against Manteno in their previous meeting back in April of 2024, sneaking past 8-7. Do the Bulldogs have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Panthers turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
