Baseball Game Preview: Rauner Wildcats vs. Golder Panthers

Rauner is a perfect 10-0 against Golder since May of 2018 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Wednesday. The Wildcats will host the Panthers at 5:30 p.m. Rauner is coming into the contest on a five-game losing streak.

On Tuesday, Rauner came up short against Horizon Science Academy McKinley Park and fell 7-2.

Lucas Ghanimah

Stolen Base

05/06/25 @ Horizon Science Academy McKinley Park	1
04/26/25 @ Thornton Fractional North	7
04/16/25 vs The Noble Academy	5
04/15/25 @ Golder	1
04/14/25 @ Muchin College Prep	2
+ 7 more games

Lucas Ghanimah was cooking despite his team's loss, getting on base in all three of his plate appearances with one stolen base and one RBI. He has been hot for a while, having posted at least one stolen base the last 12 times he's played.

Meanwhile, Golder had to endure a five-game losing streak, but that streak is no more. They came out on top against Mansueto by a score of 10-7 on Monday. The high-flying hitting performance was a huge turnaround for the Panthers considering their one-run performance the match before.

The team relied heavily on Yadier Kelly, who went 3-for-4 with one triple, one stolen base, and two RBI. Those three hits gave him a new career-high. Ryan Drysch was another key player, going 2-for-3 with three stolen bases and two runs.

Golder's win bumped their record up to 2-7. As for Rauner, their defeat dropped their record down to 7-13.

The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Wednesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Rauner has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Golder struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.2 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.

Everything went Rauner's way against Golder in their previous matchup back in April, as Rauner made off with an 11-1 victory. Will the Wildcats repeat their success, or do the Panthers have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.