The Lane Tech Champions will face off against the Libertyville Wildcats at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. Lane Tech is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.7 runs per game this season.
Lane Tech was handed a heart-breaking two-run defeat in their last game, but they sure didn't let that happen against Resurrection on Friday. The Champions were the clear victors by a 12-3 margin over the Bandits. The result was nothing new for the Champions, who have now won 16 contests by seven runs or more so far this season.
Grace Thornley spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned runs on six hits.
Grace Brobson
| 05/23/25 @ Resurrection | 4 |
| 05/14/25 @ Loyola Academy | 0 |
| 05/10/25 vs Taft | 2 |
| 05/06/25 vs Northside | 3 |
| 05/05/25 vs Intrinsic | 3 |
| + 11 more games |
On the hitting side, Grace Brobson was a standout: she got on base in four of her five plate appearances with four runs, one double, and one RBI. That's the most runs she has posted since back in April. The team also got some help courtesy of Gianna Phillips, who went 2-for-5 with three RBI, two doubles, and one run.
Meanwhile, Libertyville entered their tilt with Warren Township on Friday with four consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with five. They came within a single run of losing the streak, but they secured a 7-6 W against the Blue Devils.
Libertyville also let their pitcher toss all seven innings and she was also dialed-in: Taylor Higham gave up three earned (and three unearned) runs on five hits and racked up 12 Ks. Higham has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't tossed less than eight strikeouts in eight consecutive appearances.
At the plate, the team relied heavily on Sofia Lombardo, who went 2-for-4 with one run, one double, and one RBI. Emily Psyhogios was another key player, going 2-for-4 with one double and one RBI.
Libertyville was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .393. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .333 or higher in three consecutive matches.
Libertyville's victory bumped their record up to 21-8. As for Lane Tech, their win bumped their record up to 19-11.
Fans could be in store for some top-tier slugging on Saturday. Lane Tech hasn't had any problems when it comes to power this season, having averaged 0.4 home runs per game. However, it's not like Libertyville struggles in that department as they've been averaging 0.7 home runs. With so much power on both teams, it'll be down to the pitchers to keep the mound locked down.
Lane Tech came out on top in a nail-biter against Libertyville when the teams last played back in May of 2023, sneaking past 2-1. Do the Champions have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Wildcats turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
