Baseball Game Preview: East Chicago Central Cardinals vs. Hammond Central Wolves

Cardinals

Runs

04/16/25 @ Bowman Academy	18
04/14/25 vs Hammond Central	10
04/11/25 @ River Forest	2
04/08/25 vs 21st Century Charter	21
04/07/25 vs Hammond Baptist	0

The East Chicago Central Cardinals will head out to square off against the Hammond Central Wolves at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. East Chicago Central is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 10.2 runs per game this season.

East Chicago Central had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 15-run drubbing they dealt Bowman Academy on Wednesday. The Cardinals put the hurt on the Eagles with a sharp 18-3 win. That looming 18-3 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Cardinals yet this season.

Christian Rios was incredible, scoring three runs and stealing four bases while going 2-for-3. Another player making a difference was Kamonta Morris, who scored two runs and stole two bases while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances.

Meanwhile, Hammond Central scored the most runs they've had this season on Monday, but it wasn't enough. They fell just short of East Chicago Central by a score of 10-9.

Elijah Lewis was cooking despite his team's loss, scoring three runs and stealing five bases while getting on base in all five of his plate appearances. The team also got some help courtesy of Juan Magallanes, who scored two runs and stole two bases while going 1-for-4.

East Chicago Central now has a winning record of 3-2. As for Hammond Central, they now have a losing record of 1-2-1.

The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Thursday as neither team is afraid to steal. East Chicago Central has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 4.4 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Hammond Central struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 5 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.

East Chicago Central skirted past Hammond Central 10-9 in their previous matchup on Monday. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Cardinals since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.