Mattoon is 2-8 against Mt. Zion since April of 2019 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Friday. The Greenwave are taking a road trip to face off against the Braves at 4:00 p.m. Mattoon has given up an average of 8.1 runs per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Mattoon is headed into Friday's matchup looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their seventh straight game on Wednesday. They fell 12-7 to Marshall.
Hanna Griffin
| 04/23/25 @ Marshall | 1 |
| 04/22/25 @ Effingham | 0 |
| 04/18/25 vs Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg | 2 |
| 04/16/25 @ Cumberland | 1 |
| 04/14/25 vs Champaign Central | 2 |
Mattoon got a good showing from Hanna Griffin, who pitched four innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off six hits. Griffin has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Alana Perez and Aylexis Otto stepped up to the plate in a big way. Perez went a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI, one run, and one double, while Otto went 2-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. Kenna Karnes was another key player, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs and one stolen base.
Meanwhile, Mt. Zion waltzed into their contest on Wednesday with two straight wins... but they left with three. They were the clear victors by a 13-1 margin over the Spartans. The result was nothing new for the Braves, who have now won nine games by six runs or more so far this season.
Ella Fink made a big impact while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she pitched five innings while giving up just one earned run off four hits. Fink was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with three runs, one stolen base, and one double. That double was her first of the season.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Addy Rotz, who went 2-for-3 with seven RBI, one triple, and one run. Those seven RBI gave her a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Ana Kanemaru, who earned two RBI and one run.
Mt. Zion's record is now 11-5. As for Mattoon, their defeat dropped their record down to 4-12.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Friday as neither team is afraid to steal. Mattoon has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 2.8 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Mt. Zion struggles in that department as they've been averaging 3.2 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Mattoon might still be hurting after the 9-3 loss they got from Mt. Zion in their previous meeting back in April of 2024. Can the Greenwave avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
