Bishop McNamara has enjoyed a three-game homestand but will soon have to dust off their road jerseys. They will challenge the Manteno Panthers at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The last three games Bishop McNamara has played have been within two runs, so don't be surprised if it's a close one.
Bishop McNamara is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Monday. They came out on top in a nail-biter against Clifton Central and snuck past 3-1. That's two games straight that Bishop McNamara has won by exactly two runs.
Mason McCue made a big impact while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. McCue has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two hits in three consecutive pitching appearances. McCue was even better at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a home run, three RBI, and a stolen base.
McCue wasn't the only one making solid contact as two players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Jacob Lotz, who went 1-for-3 with a stolen base. Lotz has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive pitching appearances.
Meanwhile, Manteno wound up with the same score they had in their last game (5-2), but sadly the team found themselves on the wrong side of the score this time.
Tyler Buehler was cooking despite his team's loss, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 2-for-3.
Bishop McNamara's win bumped their record up to 17-10. As for Manteno, their loss dropped their record down to 18-6.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Wednesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Bishop McNamara has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.5 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Manteno struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.8. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Bishop McNamara might still be hurting after the 11-1 defeat they got from Manteno when the teams last played back in May of 2023. Can Bishop McNamara avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
