The Stevenson Patriots are taking a road trip to take on the Niles Notre Dame Dons at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty run totals in their previous games.
Niles Notre Dame will be up against a hot Stevenson squad: the team just extended their winning streak to three. The Patriots put the hurt on Waukegan with a sharp 15-1 win on Tuesday.
Ryan Harris
| 04/22/25 vs Waukegan | 2 |
| 04/21/25 @ Waukegan | 2 |
| 03/28/25 @ Smiths Station | 2 |
| 03/21/25 vs Payton College Prep | 2 |
| 04/15/25 @ Mundelein | 1 |
| + 3 more games |
Stevenson got a massive performance out of Ryan Harris, who went 2-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. Harris is becoming a predictor of the Patriots' success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 6-10 when he doesn't). Another player making a difference was Matteo Nolasco, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with one triple, one run, and one RBI.
Stevenson always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .581. They are a perfect 4-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Niles Notre Dame, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Saturday. Everything went their way against Northridge on Wednesday as they made off with a 13-5 victory. The win was some much needed relief for the Dons as it spelled an end to their four-game losing streak.
Anthony Baldassano looked comfortable as he tossed three innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs but no hits.
At the plate, Tony Szwedo was incredible, going 2-for-3 with three RBI, two runs, and one double. That's the most RBI he has posted since back in March. Dominic Holton also deserves some recognition as he hit his first triple of the season.
Niles Notre Dame's record is now 8-6-1. As for Stevenson, the victory got them back to even at 10-10.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Stevenson has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.1 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Niles Notre Dame struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.7 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Stevenson couldn't quite get it done against Niles Notre Dame in their previous meeting back in March of 2023 as they fell 7-4. Can the Patriots avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
