KANKAKEE, Ill. — MATC's road struggles continued Wednesday as the Stormers dropped both games of a rescheduled doubleheader at Kankakee Community College, falling 9–1 in five innings and 6–4 to extend their losing streak to five and slip to 8–18 overall.

Kankakee did most of its damage in the opener with an eight‑run third inning, stringing together five hits and taking advantage of an MATC error and two walks to seize full control in a 9–1, five‑inning decision. The Stormers were more competitive in Game 2, pulling even at 4–4 before surrendering a bases‑loaded, one‑out two‑RBI double in the bottom of the sixth. MATC tried to mount one last push in the seventh, reaching on an error after an opening strikeout, but two more strikeouts ended the rally and sealed the sweep.

GAME 1: Kankakee 9, Stormers 1 (5 Innings)
Kankakee erased MATC's early momentum with a decisive third‑inning surge, handing the Stormers a 9–1 loss in the opener. MATC struck first when Mia Carani doubled with one out in the top of the first and later scored on an RBI double from Amira Baldon, giving the Stormers a brief 1–0 lead.

KCC responded in the bottom of the third with an eight‑run outburst, stringing together five hits and capitalizing on two walks and an MATC error to take command. The Stormers threatened in the fourth after Rylyn Paulick drew a leadoff walk and Baldon followed with her second hit of the game, putting runners on first and second with no outs, but three straight outs ended the inning.

Kankakee extended the margin to 9–1 in the bottom half when a leadoff single eventually scored on a two‑out double, and MATC was unable to extend the game in the fifth.

"Last week we played great defense and took advantage of offensive opportunities," MATC head coach Joe Kuntner said. "We didn't do that today here in Game 1."

Baldon finished 2‑for‑2 with an RBI double to lead the Stormers at the plate, while Carani added a double and a run scored. Paulick reached once on a walk. Starter Maiya Tearney worked three innings, allowing eight runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks. Jordan Hanserd handled the fourth, giving up one earned run on four hits with one strikeout.

GAME 2: Kankakee 6, Stormers 4
MATC once again jumped out to an early lead in the nightcap but couldn't hold off Kankakee's late push, falling 6–4 after the Cavaliers broke a 4–4 tie in the bottom of the sixth.

The Stormers opened strong with a two‑run first inning, sparked by an Alyssa Pavlovich leadoff single. With two outs, Jayden Moss ripped an RBI double to put MATC on the board, and Nevaeh Folk followed with a run‑scoring single to make it 2–0. MATC loaded the bases later in the inning but couldn't add on.

Kankakee answered immediately, using a leadoff double and a defensive miscue to score twice and tie the game at 2–2. Another leadoff double in the second set up a two‑RBI double, giving KCC a 4–2 lead.

MATC clawed back in the fifth. Carani reached on an error to open the inning, and Baldon followed by launching a two‑run homer to left, tying the game at 4–4.

"Baldon provided a spark we needed to tie the game," Kuntner said. "I thought after the fifth inning we had the momentum, but our offense cooled off in the sixth and seventh innings."

Starter Chloe Lago kept MATC in it through five innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits with no walks and two strikeouts. But the tie unraveled in the sixth after Lily Dorado entered in relief. Kankakee opened the inning with a single, and after a popout, a double and a single loaded the bases. A two‑RBI double down the line put the Cavaliers back in front 6–4. Brooke Peters entered and recorded two quick popouts to leave two stranded.

MATC mounted one last push in the seventh. After a leadoff strikeout, Baldon reached on an error to bring the tying run to the plate, but two more strikeouts ended the rally.

Baldon's two‑run homer led the offense, while Moss and Folk each added a hit and an RBI. Moss also scored a run, Hallie Knurowski contributed a single, and Ava D'Acquisto added a stolen base.

UP NEXT
MATC (8–18) heads back on the road Thursday for a rescheduled doubleheader at Madison College. First pitch is set for 3 p.m., with Game 2 to follow at 5 p.m. in Madison.