The Blue Island Eisenhower Cardinals will challenge the Rich Township Raptors at 12:00 p.m. on Monday. Blue Island Eisenhower will be strutting in after a win while Rich Township will be coming in after a loss.
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 walked away with a 6-1 victory over the Thunderbirds. The game was the first time the Cardinals have beaten the Thunderbirds on their field since April 15, 2017.
Favian Barcena
| 05/19/25 vs Richards | 8 |
| 05/05/25 @ Evergreen Park | 8 |
| 04/15/25 @ Shepard | 7 |
| 05/12/25 @ Bremen | 6 |
| 04/22/25 vs Argo | 6 |
| + 6 more games |
Favian Barcena made a splash no matter where he played. He pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Blue Island Eisenhower is 3-1 when Barcena allows three or fewer 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, 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. Jo'Mari Dixon was another key player, going 2-for-4 with one double and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Rich Township was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their fourth straight defeat. They came up short against Thornton Fractional South, falling 13-6.
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.
Rich Township's loss dropped their record down to 12-16. As for Blue Island Eisenhower, their win ended a seven-game drought on the road and puts them at 10-22.
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 7.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Rich Township struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.9 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 might still be hurting after the 10-3 defeat they got from Rich Township in their previous meeting back in April. Can the Cardinals avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
