The Blue Island Eisenhower Cardinals will venture away from home to challenge the Argo Argonauts at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. Blue Island Eisenhower is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.9 runs per game this season.
Blue Island Eisenhower will roll into the contest after a wild two-game stretch: they only put up two runs on Tuesday, then bounced right back against Thornton Fractional North on Thursday. The Cardinals' pitcher stepped up to hand the Meteors an 11-0 shutout. The victory continues a trend for the Cardinals in their matchups with the Meteors: they've now won six in a row.
Jo'Mari Dixon made a splash no matter where he played. On the mound, he kept things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out 11 over five innings pitched. He also tossed no walks, which is notable because Blue Island Eisenhower is 2-1 when he allows at most one walk, but 5-6 otherwise. Dixon was also big at the plate, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with two stolen bases, two RBI, and one run. Those two stolen bases gave him a new career-high.
Favian Barcena
| 04/17/25 @ Thornton Fractional North | 4 |
| 04/12/25 vs Cristo Rey Jesuit | 2 |
| 04/10/25 @ Hillcrest | 2 |
| 04/15/25 @ Shepard | 1 |
| 03/26/25 @ Agricultural Science | 1 |
| + 1 more games |
In other batting news, Favian Barcena was a standout: he got on base in all four of his plate appearances with four stolen bases and two runs. Blue Island Eisenhower is undefeated when Barcena posts two or more stolen bases, but 4-7 otherwise. Adriel Castro was another key player, getting on base in two of his four plate appearances with three stolen bases, three runs, and one RBI.
Blue Island Eisenhower 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.
Meanwhile, Argo posted their closest win since April 23, 2024 on Saturday. They narrowly escaped with a victory as the team sidled past Joliet Central 2-1. The win was some much needed relief for the Argonauts as it spelled an end to their three-game losing streak.
Argo's victory was truly a team effort as four different players contributed at least one hit. One of them was Valente Melero, who went 1-for-2 with one run and one double.
Argo's record now sits at 4-10. As for Blue Island Eisenhower, the win got them back to even at 7-7.
Argo's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Blue Island Eisenhower has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .446. It's a different story for Argo, though, as they've only averaged .361. Will they be able to contain Blue Island Eisenhower's hitters?
Blue Island Eisenhower might still be hurting after the 12-2 loss they got from Argo in their previous matchup back in April of 2024. Can the Cardinals avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
