Dunlap Morton Game Preview

This week contains two big games in the Mid Illini Conference. First place Morton Potters and tied for second Dunlap Eagles play each other this week in what will be excellent ball games. These two teams have a lot of talent that we will see. Morton has a record of 20-4 on the season. Dunlap is 19-5. Both teams score near the same. Dunlap averages 8 runs per game. Morton averages 7.4 runs. Both teams are ranked in class 3A. Dunlap is ranked 6th and Morton is ranked 11th. 

I talked to Morton’s Tanner Spangler about what he’s looking forward to playing Dunlap. 

“I’m really just looking forward to playing a great team. They have some really good players and a few of them I have played summer ball with those being Donte and Trevor. I think it will be a great matchup and I'm looking forward to it.”

Last year at Dunlap when you played, it was a 1-0 pitchers duel. Is Morton’s pitching at the same level as it was last year or should people be expecting more runs from both teams?

“I pitched in the Monday game last year that we won, but that game was also a pitchers duel. Losing Tate was very big for us on the mound, but Schaffnitt has been electric, so I feel like it’s very similar to last year's rotation. I don’t know about how many runs will be scored, but I do know that our team and Dunlap both have a very good lineup.”

Morton and Dunlap have a lot of history with a bunch of great games over the past couple of years. Is there always an anticipation for you guys to play Dunlap because every year it feels like you get two great games out of it.

“Yes, for sure. I always enjoy the battle that we have with Dunlap. It helps playing good teams and Dunlap is pretty much good every year, so it’s always a fun game.”

What is it going to take for Morton to beat Dunlap?

“It will take great pitching and great situational hitting. I think Dunlap's record speaks for itself. They are a good team, so we will need to be clicking to win both Monday and Wednesday.”

Tanner Spangler’s stats for this season

 24.1 IP

12 H

8 R

5 ER

9 BB

34 SO

1.438 ERA

0.863 WHIP

.145 BAA

Dunlap’s Jack Piper shared his thoughts on the upcoming matchup against Morton.  

You’ve got two big games coming up with Morton. How does the team feel coming into the week? “We feel great! We just played two fantastic games today and I think we’re going to take that energy into this week.”

I’m sure you’re aware of what’s at stake with Morton as both of you are at the top of the conference. What’s it going to take to beat Morton? “They’re a good team but so are we. We have such a strong dynamic on this team, everyone is confident in one another and do their part.”

Last year you pitched at home against them and we saw a great pitchers duel. Should people expect it to be one of those games again or will this one have a lot of scoring? “It is definitely going to be a battle to score runs. Both teams have great pitching staffs so it’s going to be a tight couple of games.”

Jack Piper's stats

43 innings pitched

5-1 Record

11 Runs

5 ER

8 BB

61 SO

0.814 ERA

0.721 WHIP

First pitch is 4:15 on Monday at Dunlap High School. The second game is on Wednesday at 4:15 at Morton.