The United Red Storm baseball team came into the 2022 campaign off a regional championship in 2021. The Red storm started this season losing three of their first four games. They have recovered in a big way, winning 11 of their past 13 games to get to (12-5) overall. United is also won the Lincoln Trail Conference championship last spring. With the addition of Abingdon-Avon and Knoxville to the conference starting this season, the LTC has split their baseball teams into two divisions, the the West and the East. The Red Storm are in the thick of the West Division race this season. So far, United has swept a double header from Mercer County and split a twinbill with Knoxville last week to get to (3-1) in division play.
The United boys were able to get some challenging matchups in this past week. The Red Storm split a doubleheader with Knoxville on Friday, falling 6-4 and bouncing back to pick up a 4-1 victory in the nightcap. United also defeated a solid Orion ballclub 8-6 on Monday, before defeating Knoxville in a non-conference matchup 8-6. Head coach Ryan Molek is proud of the way his pitchers have been fearless on the mound, not being afraid to challenge opposing players and also how the Red Storm defense has improved as the season has went along, as well.
The Red Storm will travel to Abingdon-Avon tonight for a Lincoln Trail conference West division doubleheader. United is tied for first place in the conference with Knoxville at 3-1, with A-town right behind at 2-0. The Red Storm will also travel to Annawan-Wethersfield on Monday for a Lincoln Trail cross-division match up, before hosting Ridgewood on Thursday. United is hoping to continue to get contributions from the top of the batting order through the bottom as the postseason quickly approaches.
For the entire interview with Molek, go to the SPORTS PODCAST page.
***Story by Prairie Communications intern Ben Anderson***
