The Dupo Tigers are taking a road trip to take on the Sparta Bulldogs at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Dupo came up short against Staunton on Wednesday, falling 10-3. The Tigers have struggled against the Bulldogs recently, as the game was their sixth consecutive lost meeting.
Deegan Prater
| 03/26/25 vs Staunton | 10 |
| 03/17/25 @ Metro-East Lutheran | 5 |
| 04/30/24 @ Valmeyer | 4 |
| 04/25/24 @ New Athens | 8 |
| 04/17/24 @ Steeleville | 5 |
| + 2 more games |
Deegan Prater was huge no matter where he played even without the win. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out ten batters over 5.1 innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off three hits. That's the most strikeouts he has posted since back in March of 2024. He was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run while going 1-for-4.
Prater wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Brady Portell, who scored a run and stole a base while going 2-for-4. Portell is crushing it when it comes to stolen bases: he's snagged at least one every time he's taken the field this season. Teegan Hargrove also deserves some recognition as he hit his first double of the season.
Meanwhile, after only two runs in their last contest, Sparta made sure to put some runs up on the board against Elverado on Wednesday. Sparta blew past Elverado 15-0. The Bulldogs' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Like Dupo, Sparta also got a great game from a two-way player: Braden Reinhardt. Throwing, Reinhardt pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Owen Kueker tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. What's more, Reinhardt gave up only zero earned runs, the fewest he's had since back in April of 2024. At the plate, Reinhardt went 2-for-4 with two RBI, while Kueker scored two runs while going 1-for-4.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Skylar Spivey, who scored three runs while going 2-for-2. Another player making a difference was Hunter Steely, who got on base in all four of his plate appearances with three RBI and one double.
Sparta always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .625. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Dupo's defeat dropped their record down to 2-2. As for Sparta, they now have a winning record of 3-2.
Dupo couldn't quite finish off Sparta in their previous matchup back in March of 2024 and fell 7-5. Can Dupo avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
