Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 | Box Score 4
    The Heartland Hawks started the week with a conference matchup against the Illinois Central College Cougars. The team traveled to East Peoria for a doubleheader on Monday, Apr. 14th, before hosting their opponents the following Wednesday. The Cougars took the first two games after hard-fought games before returning to the Corn Crib for two more contests.

    Game one was a hitter's duel as the Hawks took the loss 7-8 in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Hawks got on the board first when Kendall Lowery singled to score a run. The left fielder went 1 for 2 with a total of two RBIs. Bailey Brooks led the Hawks offensively earning two hits on three at-bats and contributing an RBI. The team accumulated eight hits out of 30 at-bats. Cara Farnam took the loss at the mound throwing one inning, giving up two hits and one run. 
    Despite the Hawks battling in the top of the seventh, game two ended in a 6-10 loss for the Hawks. Tayla Eaves led things off in the circle surrendering six hits and six runs. Farnam drove the middle of the lineup, leading the team with two runs batted in. The cleanup hitter went 1 for 3 on the day. Kendall Lowery showed depth with two hits in two at-bats. Shayne Immke showed patience at the plate with two out of the team's four walks in the contest. 
    
    Heartland turned around to host ICC at the Corn Crib. Game one started slow before the Cougars busted open the contest with a four-run inning in the top of the fifth and sixth. Kendyl Hurt took the loss at the mound throwing all six innings and giving up seven earned runs in the 0-9 loss. The right-handed pitcher sat down three batters and only surrendered one free base. Brooks, Concetta DeBord, and Natalie Nenne each collected a hit for the Hawks. The team was able to show some patience with a total of five walks throughout the contest. Brooklyn Ogden and Immke led the team with two bases on balls each. 
    The final game of the series started shortly after where the Hawks showed some grit scoring first on a single from DeBord. The lefty slapper led the charge going 2 for 2 with two walks, a run, and a stolen base. Kendall Lowery added two more to the board on two hits. Offensively the Hawks accumulated eight hits and three runs. On the mound, sophomore Brooklyn Ogden pitched all seven innings giving up seven runs with only three being earned. The pitcher faced 34 batters, striking out five and only walking two. The final for game four ended 7-3 in favor of the Cougars. 

    Heartland will take the day to rest before returning to conference play at home over the weekend. Friday's matchup the Hawks are up against the Lewis & Clark Community College Trailblazers and on Saturday the Parkland Cobras will make the trip to the Corn Crib.