Blue Island Eisenhower is 1-9 against Oak Lawn since April of 2019 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Monday. The Cardinals will host the Spartans at 4:30 p.m. Blue Island Eisenhower is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.1 runs per game this season.
Blue Island Eisenhower took a 12-run defeat the last time they faced off against Bloom, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. The Cardinals narrowly escaped with a victory as the team sidled past the Blazing Trojan 5-4. The win was some much needed relief for the Cardinals as it spelled an end to their four-game losing streak.
Joel Barcena made a big impact while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching three innings while giving up no earned runs off three hits. Barcena was also big at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one stolen base and one RBI.
Adam Ford
| 04/26/25 vs Bloom | 2 |
| 04/12/25 vs Cristo Rey Jesuit | 1 |
| 04/10/25 @ Hillcrest | 1 |
| 04/08/25 vs Reavis | 1 |
| 04/05/25 vs Rich Township | 1 |
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Adam Ford, who went 2-for-3 with two RBI, one run, and one double. Those two RBI gave him a new career-high.
Blue Island Eisenhower was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .375. They are a perfect 5-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Meanwhile, Oak Lawn waltzed into their matchup on Thursday with two straight wins... but they left with three. They were the clear victors by a 17-3 margin over the Red Wolves. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest victory the Spartans have posted against the Red Wolves since May 18, 2017.
Zack Ullrich looked comfortable as he tossed four innings while giving up three earned runs off four hits. He also tossed no walks, which is notable because Oak Lawn is 2-1 when he allows at most one walk, but 7-9 otherwise.
On the hitting side, Jackson Hilger was incredible, going 2-for-3 with three runs, two doubles, and one RBI. He is becoming a predictor of Oak Lawn's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 7-2 (and 2-8 when he doesn't). Frankie Nutile was another key player, earning three runs and two stolen bases.
Oak Lawn's win was their third straight at home, which pushed their record up to 9-10. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 13.7 runs over those games. As for Blue Island Eisenhower, their win bumped their record up to 8-11.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Blue Island Eisenhower has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Oak Lawn struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.3 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Blue Island Eisenhower suffered a grim 15-0 defeat to Oak Lawn in their previous meeting back in May of 2024. Can the Cardinals avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
