Baseball Game Preview: Mandarin Mustangs vs. Bishop Kenny Crusaders

Mandarin and Bishop Kenny are an even 5-5 against one another since April of 2017, but likely not for long. The Mandarin Mustangs will take on the Bishop Kenny Crusaders at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Bishop Kenny took a loss in their last match and will be looking to turn the tables on Mandarin, who comes in off a win.

Mandarin was handed a heart-breaking two-run defeat in their last contest, but they sure didn't let that happen against Menendez on Friday. Mandarin put the hurt on Menendez with a sharp 10-1 win. The Mustangs' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.

Gavin Loper was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He pitched five innings while giving up just one earned run off one hit. What's more, he posted five strikeouts, the most he's had since back in March of 2024. He was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs and stealing two bases while going 2-for-4.

Cole Rusak

Runs Batted In (Career)

02/21/25 @ Menendez	4
02/20/25 vs Nease	1
02/14/25 @ Middleburg	1
04/11/24 vs Stanton	1
04/04/24 vs Englewood	1

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Cole Rusak, who went 2-for-3 with four RBI, one triple, and one stolen base. Those four RBI gave him a new career-high. Samuel Smedley also deserves some recognition as he stolen his first stolen base of the season.

Meanwhile, Bishop Kenny was not able to break out of their rough patch on Saturday as the team picked up their seventh straight loss dating back to last season. They were a single run away from ending the streak, but they lost a 7-6 heartbreaker at the hands of Lincoln.

Derek Heideman made the most of his time at bat despite the final result and scored a run and stole a base while going 1-for-3.

Mandarin's first victory this season bumped their record up to 1-4. As for Bishop Kenny, their defeat dropped their record down to 0-6.