Showdown in Cedar Rapids: Cubs Ride Off Victorious

It was a hot one in Cedar Rapids, and the South Bend Cubs came to town lookin’ to even some scores and rustle up a win.

Young Ryan Gallagher took the mound like a seasoned gunslinger, evening his record at 4 wins and 4 losses. He threw six frames, gave up seven hits, four earned runs, and sat down six batters with his fastball straight as a rifle shot.

The Cubs struck first blood in the top of the second, when Brian Kalmer roped a single to center to bring Andy Garriola gallopin’ home — 1–0 South Bend. In the fourth, Garriola got in on the action himself, sendin’ a base hit to right field that brought Jefferson Rojas and Cristian Hernandez across the plate. Cubs were up 3–0 and feelin’ mighty fine.

But the Kernels weren’t about to fold that easy. They clawed their way back with two runs in the fifth and another pair in the sixth, takin’ a 4–3 lead and makin’ folks nervous in the visitor dugout.

Then came the 7th. Two outs, Garriola on first after a single and a sneaky stolen base — his fifth of the year. Cameron Sisneros stepped up to the plate, stared down Jacob Kisting, and after fallin’ behind 1–2, launched his first home run in the Midwest League into the Cedar Rapids twilight. That ball might still be travelin’. Cubs jumped ahead 5–4.

The bottom of the 7th was a real saloon brawl. Kenton Egbert found himself in a mess of trouble, leadoff double, bases loaded — but he kept his cool. When Misael Urbina rolled one to short, Cristian Hernandez scooped it clean and ended the threat. No damage done.

In the 9th, Brayden Risedorph rode in like the town marshal, shutting things down without so much as a scuff on his boots. That clean frame earned him his second save, and the Cubs rode off with a 5–4 win.

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South Bend Cubs Split Doubleheader in Cedar Rapids

The South Bend Cubs played one and a half games Friday night, finishing a suspended contest from Thursday and following it with a shortened seven-inning Game 2. It was a night of big swings — both on the scoreboard and at the plate.

⚾ Game 1 – Cubs Let 5–0 Lead Slip Away

South Bend entered the resumed game leading 5–0 in the bottom of the 3rd, but the game unraveled in the 5th.

• Danny De Andrade hit a grand slam (his 8th HR) off Chase Watkins, tying the game at 5.
• Watkins gave up 5 runs in the inning, and Luis Rujano allowed the go-ahead run later.
• Final: Cedar Rapids 6, South Bend 5

💣 Game 2 – Cubs Bash Their Way to Victory (7 innings)

South Bend struck early and often:

• Cristian Hernandez hit a 2-run homer in the 1st (HR #4).
• Brian Kalmer followed with a 2-run shot in the 2nd (HR #2).
• An 8-run 3rd inning blew it open, highlighted by:
• • A Drew Bowser 2-run double
  • A Brian Kalmer 2-run single (aided by an error)
  • A Jefferson Rojas 3-run homer (HR #6) to left-center

🎯 Pitching:

• Erian Rodriguez earned the win: 5 IP, 3 ER, 8 K
• Grayson Moore shut it down: 2 IP, 0 R, 3 K

Final: South Bend 12, Cedar Rapids 4

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Notre Dame Football Talk. The Irish pick up a massive 2026 tight end plus what does the position look like this year? Plus South Bend Cubs broadcaster Tyler Reidy.

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Sports headlines for June 27, 2025.

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Notre Dame Football Talk. InsideNDSports.com's Eric Hansen discusses the importance of the Irish getting Joey O'Brien. Plus a recap of the final two game of the Cubs series against the Cardinals.

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Notre Dame Football Talk. InsideNDSports.com's Eric Hansen discusses the importance of the Irish getting Joey O'Brien.

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Sports headlines for June 26, 2025.

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Notre Dame Football Talk. Eric Hansen from InsideNDSports.com discusses what would have to go wrong for the Irish to miss the playoffs.

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