Baseball Recap: Blue Island Eisenhower Snaps Seven-Game Streak of Losses on the Road

Cardinals

Previous 5 Games

05/24/25 @ Thornwood	6-1
05/23/25 vs Lindblom	11-4
05/20/25 @ Richards	1-5
05/19/25 vs Richards	0-12
05/16/25 @ Chicago Christian	2-3

Blue Island Eisenhower had lost seven games on the road, but after bumping their record up to 10-22 on Saturday that streak is in the rearview. They walked away with a 6-1 win over the Thornwood Thunderbirds. The game was the first time the Cardinals have beaten the Thunderbirds on their field since April 15, 2017.

Favian Barcena made a splash while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. He is becoming a predictor of Blue Island Eisenhower's success: when he allows at most three hits the team is 3-1 (and 7-21 when he doesn't). Barcena was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with two stolen bases and one RBI. That's the most hits he has posted since back in April.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Adriel Castro, who went 1-for-3 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one double. That's the most runs he has posted since back in April. Another player making a difference was Jo'Mari Dixon, who went 2-for-4 with one double and one RBI.

As for Thornwood, their loss was their fifth straight at home, which dropped their record down to 12-14. Thunderbirds fans who chose to attend the game sure picked the wrong one: it was the first time the team's lost against Blue Island Eisenhower since on Saturday.

Like Blue Island Eisenhower, Thornwood also got a great game from a two-way player: Derrion Howard. He struck out nine batters over 4.2 innings while giving up just two earned (and four unearned) runs off five hits (and only one walk). Howard has been consistent recently: he hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going a perfect 2-for-2 with three stolen bases, one run, and one double.

Blue Island Eisenhower will challenge Rich Township at 12:00 p.m. on Monday. The Raptors have struggled to contain batters this season (they've allowed 6.68 runs per game on average), something the Cardinals will no doubt try to take advantage of. Thornwood does not have any more games scheduled as of now.