Sports headlines for April 28, 2025.

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The South Bend Cubs left ten men on base and, despite a strong relief appearance from Chase Watkins, dropped the series to the Beloit Sky Carp, four games to two, after a 4–3 loss on a beautiful, sun-soaked afternoon at Four Winds Field.

Beloit scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to build a 3–0 lead. South Bend answered in the bottom of the fifth when Drew Bowser roped his fourth double of the year, driving in Jefferson Rojas and Carter Trice to cut the deficit to 3–2. In the bottom of the sixth, Reginald Preciado tied the game with his first home run of the season, a solo shot to center.

In the top of the eighth, with Vince Riley on the mound, the Sky Carp strung together three consecutive singles to reclaim a 4–3 lead. Riley and the Cubs’ defense limited the damage, throwing out a runner at home. South Bend put two runners on in the bottom of the eighth but could not capitalize.

The Cubs now travel to Cedar Rapids for their next series

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South Bend Cubs starting pitcher Ryan Gallagher made his third professional start against the Beloit Sky Carp in a mid-afternoon game at a somewhat windy Four Winds Field. Gallagher came out sharp, retiring the first eight batters he faced consecutively before allowing an infield hit. That infield single eventually came around to score in the top of the third inning, tying the game at one apiece.

The South Bend Cubs had gotten on the board early, plating a run in the bottom of the first. Jefferson Rojas led off with a single and later scored when Ariel Armas lined a base hit to left field for an RBI single off Beloit starter Jake Brooks.

In the bottom of the third, the Cubs threatened again, loading the bases after Armas was hit by a pitch. Edgar Alvarez followed with a single over the infield, scoring Ivan Brethowr and Andy Garriola to give South Bend a 3–1 lead. Armas was thrown out at the plate trying to score on the same play, ending the rally.

Gallagher kept the momentum going with a scoreless top of the fourth, but ran into trouble in the fifth. He gave up two runs before being replaced by reliever Joe Nahas. The Sky Carp tied the game at 3–3.

In the top of the sixth, Nahas struggled early, allowing the first two batters to reach base. He then committed a balk, moving the runners to second and third with nobody out. Colby Shade doubled to right field, scoring Ryan Ignoffo and moving Yiddi Cappe to third, giving Beloit a 4–3 lead.

Michael Snyder followed with a single to left field, scoring both Cappe and Shade to extend the Sky Carp lead to 6–3. After the damage, Nahas managed to get the Cubs out of the inning by inducing an inning-ending double play to stop the bleeding.

In the top of the seventh, Johzan Oquendo came in to relieve Nahas. He walked the bases loaded but stood strong under pressure, managing to keep the Sky Carp from scoring any more runs and keeping the Cubs within striking distance.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Cubs made a strong push, hitting two rockets, one of which was snagged in the outfield and the other stopped by a great play in the infield. The Cubs were unable to get anything going, as the Sky Carp defense held firm, preventing a rally from forming.

In the top of the eighth, Cubs pitcher Sam Thoresen struck out the side, keeping the Cubs in the game. However, while warming up for the top of the ninth, something happened, forcing him to leave the game before he could pitch the inning. Marino Santy came in to relieve Thoresen but struggled, issuing a few walks. The Sky Carp capitalized, scoring a run to extend their lead to 7–3.

The Cubs made a last-ditch effort in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases with two outs. However, a ground out ended the game, and the Sky Carp secured a 7–3 victory.

On a positive note, Edgar Alvarez had his first multi-hit game of the season, showing promising signs of consistency at the plate.

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