The Chicago Christian Knights will square off against the Bishop McNamara Fightin' Irish at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. Chicago Christian is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.1 runs per game this season.
Chicago Christian came out on top against Timothy Christian on Saturday thanks in part to the team's impressive ten-run first inning. The Knights blew past the Trojans 13-2. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest victory the Knights have posted against the Trojans since April 27, 2021.
Matt Rashan
| 04/19/25 @ Timothy Christian | 5 |
| 03/21/25 vs Beecher | 4 |
| 05/03/24 vs Timothy Christian | 1 |
| 04/30/24 vs Wheaton Academy | 0 |
| 04/25/24 vs Marian Central Catholic | 1 |
| 04/17/24 @ St. Edward | 5 |
Matt Rashan was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching two innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. What's more, he posted five strikeouts, the most he's had since back in April of 2024. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-2 with two runs and one RBI.
In other batting news, Micah Buikema was a standout: he went a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI and one double. That's the most hits he has posted since back in April of 2024. Christian Flutman was another key player, going 2-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Chicago Christian was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .435. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Timothy Christian only posted a batting average of .238.
Meanwhile, Bishop McNamara had already won two in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 5.5 runs) and they went ahead and made it three on Saturday. They walked away with an 8-4 win over the Warriors.
Devin Arbour and Callahan O'Connor did most of the damage at the plate: Arbour went 2-for-4 with one home run and three RBI, while O'Connor got on base in all four of his plate appearances with one stolen base, two RBI, and one double. That home run was Arbour's first of the season. The team also got some help courtesy of Jacob Lotz, who went 1-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
Chicago Christian has been performing well recently as they've won three of their last four matches. That's provided a nice bump to their 9-5 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.5 runs on average over those games. As for Bishop McNamara, their win bumped their record up to 10-4.
Bishop McNamara's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Chicago Christian has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .439. It's a different story for Bishop McNamara, though, as they've only averaged .354. Will they be able to contain Chicago Christian's hitters?
Chicago Christian came up short against Bishop McNamara in their previous meeting back in April of 2024, falling 4-0. Can the Knights avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
