Cardinal Gibbons has won four straight games at home, while Cleveland has won four straight on the road, but those streaks won't matter much on Tuesday. The Crusaders will welcome the Rams at 6:00 p.m. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Cardinal Gibbons 3.8, Cleveland 3.7) so any runs scored will be well earned.
Cardinal Gibbons is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Friday. They blew past Cary 11-2. The Crusaders might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won 14 games by six runs or more this season.
Cam Tarkenton
| 05/08/26 vs Cary | 3 |
| 04/27/26 @ Middle Creek | 1 |
| 04/21/26 @ Cary | 2 |
| 04/16/26 @ Sanderson | 1 |
| 04/14/26 vs Sanderson | 2 |
| + 3 more games |
Cam Tarkenton made a big impact no matter where he played. He struck out 11 batters over 5.2 innings while giving up just two earned runs off seven hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't tossed less than nine strikeouts in seven consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs. That's the most RBI he has posted since back in March.
In other batting news, Graham Virag and Bryce Fitzsimmons did most of the damage at the plate: Virag went 2-for-3 with one home run, two stolen bases, and four RBI, while Fitzsimmons went 2-for-4 with one home run, three runs, and three RBI. Jakub Mudd was another key player, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances with three runs, one stolen base, and one double.
Meanwhile, it may have taken eight innings to finish the job, but Cleveland ultimately got the result they hoped for on Friday. They came out on top against New Hanover by a score of 9-6.
Like Cardinal Gibbons, Cleveland also got a great game from a two-way player: Zac Miller. On the mound, he tossed 3.2 innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Miller was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in three of his five plate appearances with one RBI.
In other batting news, Cleveland let Noah Price and Caleb Lynn run wild. Price went 2-for-4 with three RBI, two runs, and one stolen base, while Lynn got on base in three of his five plate appearances with two stolen bases and three runs. The team also got some help courtesy of Henry Blackman, who got on base in three of his five plate appearances with two runs.
Cleveland's victory bumped their record up to 18-8. As for Cardinal Gibbons, their win bumped their record up to 18-5.
Tuesday's matchup will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Cardinal Gibbons hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .344. However, it's not like Cleveland struggles in that department as they've averaged .334. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Cardinal Gibbons got the 'W' in their previous matchup back in February against Cleveland by a conclusive 10-3 score. Do the Crusaders have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Rams turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
