East Chicago Central is 0-6 against Highland since May of 2015 but things could change on Wednesday. The Cardinals will host the Trojans at 5:00 p.m. East Chicago Central is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.6 runs per game this season.
It was a proper cat-fight when East Chicago Central took on Gary West Side on Tuesday. The Cardinals were the clear victors by a 15-5 margin over the Cougars. The Cardinals haven't had any issues with the Cougars recently, as the game was their seventh consecutive victory against them.
Carlos Vasquez
| 05/06/25 vs Gary West Side | 3 |
| 04/08/25 vs 21st Century Charter | 2 |
| 04/28/25 vs Gary West Side | 1 |
| 04/17/25 @ Hammond Central | 1 |
| 04/16/25 @ Bowman Academy | 1 |
Carlos Vasquez and Ivan Rojas made a big impact no matter where they played. On the mound, Vasquez tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Rojas pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. East Chicago Central is 2-1 when Rojas allows two or fewer hits, but 4-5 otherwise. At bat, Vasquez went 1-for-4 with three RBI and one run, while Rojas went a perfect 2-for-2 with four RBI, one stolen base, and one run. Those three RBI gave Vasquez a new career-high.
In other batting news, Abran Gomez was incredible, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with three stolen bases, three runs, and one RBI. He is becoming a predictor of East Chicago Central's success: when he posts at least two stolen bases the team is 5-2 (and 1-4 when he doesn't). The team also got some help courtesy of Victor Rivera, who got on base in two of his three plate appearances with two runs.
East Chicago Central always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .562. They are a perfect 5-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
Highland came out on top against Kankakee Valley on Tuesday thanks in part to the team's impressive five-run fifth inning. The Trojans sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with an 8-7 win over the Kougars. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Trojans.
Highland let Cash Washick and Caden Quigg run wild. Washick got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two RBI and one run, while Quigg went 2-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI. Brady Boyd was another key player, going a perfect 2-for-2 with one run and one RBI.
East Chicago Central's victory was their third straight at home, which pushed their record up to 6-6. Those home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 15.7 runs over those games. As for Highland, their victory bumped their record up to 6-10.
East Chicago Central suffered a grim 19-0 defeat to Highland in their previous matchup back in May of 2021. Can the Cardinals avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
