The Rich Township Raptors are taking a road trip to square off against the Blue Island Eisenhower Cardinals at 12:00 p.m. on Monday. Rich Township has given up an average of 6.7 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Rich Township is headed into Monday's match looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their fourth straight game on Friday. They lost 13-6 to Thornton Fractional South.
Rich Township saw six different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Khyre Burnette, who went 2-for-3 with two runs, two doubles, and one stolen base.
Blue Island Eisenhower came out on top against Thornwood on Saturday thanks in part to the team's impressive four-run fifth inning. The Cardinals took their contest against the Thunderbirds 6-1. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Cardinals.
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 has become a key player for Blue Island Eisenhower: the team is 3-1 when he allows at most three hits, but 7-21 otherwise. Barcena was also big at the plate, 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, Adriel Castro was excellent, going 1-for-3 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one double. He is becoming a predictor of Blue Island Eisenhower's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 6-2 (and 4-20 when he doesn't). Jo'Mari Dixon was another key player, going 2-for-4 with one double and one RBI.
Rich Township's defeat dropped their record down to 12-16. As for Blue Island Eisenhower, their record is now 10-22.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Monday as neither team is afraid to steal. Rich Township has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 6 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Blue Island Eisenhower struggles in that department as they've been averaging 3 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Everything went Rich Township's way against Blue Island Eisenhower when the teams last played back in April, as Rich Township made off with a 10-3 win. Do the Raptors have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Cardinals turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
