Midwest Central/Illini Central has enjoyed the comforts of home their last five games, but now they'll head out on the road. They will square off against the Deer Creek-Mackinaw Chiefs at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Midwest Central/Illini Central's pitching crew has only allowed 3.5 runs per game this season, so Deer Creek-Mackinaw's hitters will have their work cut out for them.
On Tuesday, Midwest Central/Illini Central came up short against Havana and fell 7-3. Midwest Central/Illini Central has not had much luck with Havana recently, as the team's come up short the last three times they've met.
Izzy Passmore spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned (and five unearned) runs on seven hits and racked up 12 Ks. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts every time she's pitched this season.
Meanwhile, Deer Creek-Mackinaw came tearing into Monday's contest with four straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 10.5 runs) and they left with even more momentum. They walked away with a 7-3 win over the Falcons.
Kenzie Knowles was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She struck out seven batters over seven innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off five hits. Knowles was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs.
Knowles wasn't the only one making solid contact as six players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Payton Schweigert, who went 1-for-2 with two RBI.
Midwest Central/Illini Central's loss dropped their record down to 9-15. As for Deer Creek-Mackinaw, they have been performing incredibly well recently as they've won seven of their last eight matchups, which provided a massive bump to their 12-8 record this season.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Midwest Central/Illini Central has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 12.3 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Deer Creek-Mackinaw struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Midwest Central/Illini Central suffered a grim 10-3 defeat to Deer Creek-Mackinaw in their previous meeting back in May of 2023. Can Midwest Central/Illini Central avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
