Baseball Game Preview: Hoover Vikings vs. Mentor Cardinals

The Hoover Vikings will square off against the Mentor Cardinals at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Hoover 2.8, Mentor 3.3) so any runs scored will be well earned.

Hoover took a loss when they played away from home on Monday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Tuesday. They skirted past Louisville 4-3. The win was some much needed relief for the Vikings as it spelled an end to their three-game losing streak.

Jack Andes

Runs

05/20/25 vs Louisville	3
04/19/25 vs Hudson	2
04/16/25 @ McKinley	2
04/08/25 @ GlenOak	2
04/04/25 vs Medina	2
+ 10 more games

Jack Andes was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out seven batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit (and only one walk). He has been consistent for a while: he hasn't given up more than one hit in 11 consecutive appearances. He was also stellar in the batter's box, going a perfect 3-for-3 with four stolen bases and three runs. He has become a key player for Hoover: the team is undefeated when he posts at least two runs, but 8-11 otherwise.

Andes wasn't the only one making solid contact as two players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Roman Geiselman, who went 2-for-4 with one RBI.

Meanwhile, Mentor entered their tilt with Twinsburg on Friday with two consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with three. They were the clear victors by an 8-1 margin over the Tigers. The Cardinals not only won on Friday, but they posted their biggest win since April 22nd (when they won 12-5).

Peter Kennedy looked comfortable as he didn't allow a single earned run over four innings pitched.

At the plate, the team relied heavily on Jake McCartney, who went 1-for-3 with one home run and two runs. Tyler Black was another key player, going 1-for-3 with three RBI and one triple.

Hoover's victory bumped their record up to 14-11. As for Mentor, their win bumped their record up to 19-5.