Ruoff Mortgage Homestand Preview April 19-24
Beloit Sky Carp (2-7) Miles from South Bend: 154 Affiliation: Marlins 2021 Record vs. Beloit: 8-10 (4-2 in South Bend) Tonight the South Bend Cubs open up their first six-game homestand of the season against the High-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, the Beloit Sky Carp (2-7). The South Bend
Beloit Sky Carp (2-7)
Miles from South Bend: 154
Affiliation: Marlins
2021 Record vs. Beloit: 8-10 (4-2 in South Bend)
Tonight the South Bend Cubs open up their first six-game homestand of the season against the High-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, the Beloit Sky Carp (2-7). The South Bend Cubs (3-6) return home after going 2-4 in Fort Wayne, meanwhile Beloit won their last two games vs. Wisconsin after starting the season 0-7.
Beloit opened up brand new ABC Supply Stadium last August and announced a new moniker for the team moving forward, the Sky Carp. Fans got to vote between five finalists: Sky Carp, Polka Pike, Supper Clubbers, Moo, and Cheeseballs. Sky Carp won the vote with Supper Clubbers placing second.
That means the last game the Cubs ever played against the Snappers will have been September 12 last year in Beloit, when the Cubs clawed back from a 6-3 deficit in the ninth and won by a final of 7-6.
Both teams enter this series with struggling offenses trying to get of the schneid. Beloit is last in the league in batting average (.161), on-base percentage (.243), OPS (.511), walks (28) and runs scored (22). For South Bend it’s been a matter of playing a complete game, seemingly either the offense or pitching shows up but we have yet to really see both thrive in the same game.
Players to watch out for on Beloit…
OF Tanner Allen: Allen should be a familiar name to any college baseball fan in South Bend. Last season he won the SEC batting title (.383 average) and SEC Player of the Year, plus led Mississippi State to their first ever College World Series championship. That championship run included winning a decisive game three in a best-of-three series vs. Notre Dame to get to Omaha. He turned 23 a month before he was drafted but he could rise quickly given his tremendous hitting ability. He enters this series batting .292 with a .500 slugging.
LHP Dax Fulton: The Marlins number nine prospect per MLB Pipeline finished last season with his last five starts in Beloit and returned to the now Sky Carp to start 2022. A second round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, Fulton was said to be the best high school left-hander in the draft despite missing his entire senior campaign. Now back for his second minor league season, the 6-foot-7, 20 year old seems primed for a big sophomore season. He made one start against South Bend last season and worked four scoreless frames, allowing one hit and striking out seven.
INF Victor Mesa Jr.: A young stud who won’t turn 20 until September. Mesa Jr. signed for $1 million back in 2018, significantly less than his brother Victor Victor Mesa who also signed with the Marlins, but for $5.25 million. However, Victor Jr. is now the better prospect and comes it at number 14 in the Marlins system. He led the Cuba 18-and-under league in all three slash line categories before leaving Cuba in 2018. This will be his second season stateside.
Players to watch out for on South Bend…
INF Fabian Pertuz: Early on in the season it’s become apparent that Pertuz possesses potent power potential at the plate. He’s the lone South Bend Cub with multiple homers in 2022 and he won’t turn 22 until the final month of the season. The Colombian infielder also leads the Cubs in slugging (.500) and OPS (.887). As we’ve seen in batting practice throughout April, his power goes to all fields.
LHP D.J. Herz: New year, same Herz. Last year’s Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the year is picking up right where he left off last season. In Herz’s first month of 2021 he made four starts, tossed 12 innings, allowed just three hits and one earned run while striking out 20 and walking just six. Through his first two starts this season, the man who works as fast as any pitcher you’ll see, has tossed seven innings and allowed just one run on two hits, while striking out ten and walking two. The kid born in 2001 from Fayetteville, N.C. voiced some of the loftiest goals I’ve ever heard from a player preseason, but zero people would be surprised if he reached them.
RHP Daniel Palencia: The hardest throwing starter in a rotation filled with some real flamethrowers. Palencia has walked eight batters in two starts that have combined lasted 5.2 innings, and still he’s garnered a 1.59 ERA. The right-hander’s stuff is electric when he’s throwing strikes. Against Fort Wayne I think anyone watching could tell you he wasn’t always hitting his spots but was still piling up strikeouts (and hitting 100 mph 50+ pitches in). The potential is crazy here for a kid with pretty raw stuff.
Schedule…
Tuesday, April 19 - 7:05 ET: RHP Chris Clarke vs. RHP M.D. Johnson
Wednesday, April 20 - 7:05 ET: LHP Jordan Wicks vs. LHP Patrick Monteverde
Thursday, April 21 - 7:05 ET: RHP Kohl Franklin vs. RHP Hunter Perdue
Friday, April 22 - 7:05 ET: LHP DJ Herz vs. LHP Dax Fulton
Saturday, April 23 - 4:05 ET: RHP Daniel Palencia vs. RHP Evan Fitterer
Sunday, April 24 - 2:05 ET: RHP Max Bain vs LHP Zach King
Catch the entire six-game series on Sports Radio 960 AM WSBT, online at wsbtradio.com, or at MiLB.com with Brendan King and Max Thoma on the call. Friday's game is also the first home TV broadcast of the season and can be found locally on My Michiana.
NOW HIRING: South Bend Cubs Hiring Gameday Positions for 2025 Season
SOUTH BEND, IN - As pitchers and catchers report this week for the Chicago Cubs, the South Bend Cubs are gearing up for the 2025 season. Beginning today, the organization is looking for friendly, fan focused individuals to fill part-time, seasonal positions for the 2025 season. Applications are available now
Chicago Cubs Hall-of-Famer Shawon Dunston to Appear at Four Winds Field on May 22
SOUTH BEND, IN - Two-time MLB All-Star, and Chicago Cubs Hall-of-Famer Shawon Dunston is set to appear at Four Winds Field for a special meet-and-greet event on Thursday, May 22. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for VIP ticket holders only and first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. as the
South Bend Cubs Now Accepting Auditions for 2025 National Anthem Performances
SOUTH BEND, IN - The South Bend Cubs looking for individuals and groups interested in performing “The Star-Spangled Banner” prior to home games at Four Winds Field for the 2025 season. The audition submission period is open from January 28 through February 28. Individuals, bands, choirs, and groups are invited
South Bend Cubs Announce Broadcast Extension with WSBT Radio
SOUTH BEND, IN - The South Bend Cubs and Mid-West Family Broadcasting have announced a three-year extension of their radio agreement to keep Cubs baseball on Sports Radio 96.1 FM WSBT. The extension will carry through the 2027 Midwest League season, and the upcoming 2025 campaign will be the tenth
South Bend Cubs Single Game Tickets On Sale February 26
SOUTH BEND, IN – Despite the subzero wind chills and snow on the ground, Cubs baseball returns to South Bend in just 82 days. Fans can mark their calendars as single game tickets for the 2025 season will go on sale on February 26 at 10:00am ET. Tickets will be
South Bend Cubs Host Hearts for Haley Fundraiser on February 14
UPDATE (February 10): Bid on one of a kind items from the Chicago Cubs and local businesses with proceeds going to help pay the ongoing medical expenses for longtime South Bend Silver Hawks Manager and baseball ambassador Mark Haley. Items include autographed memorabilia by Chicago Cubs Kevin Alcantara, Pete Crow-Armstrong,
Registration Now Open for Stu & Ivy’s Reading Club
SOUTH BEND, IN – As classes resume following winter break, teachers and administrators can now sign up their students for Stu & Ivy’s Reading Club, presented by 1st Source Bank. The program is open to all students K-8 in counties across Michiana. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR CLASS OR SCHOOL
Top Prospect and Chicago Cubs Stars Headline 2025 Bobblehead Package
SOUTH BEND, IN – On National Bobblehead Day, the South Bend Cubs has announced their star studdled bobblehead lineup for the 2025 season. Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and catcher Miguel Amaya join top prosect Matt Shaw and new mascot Ivy as part of a special ticket package, available now
South Bend Cubs Looking for Local Musicians to Perform Before Games
The South Bend Cubs are looking for local musicians that would like to perform at Four Winds Field prior to select games during the 2025 season. Performers can be soloists, acapella groups, jam bands, DJs, High School bands and more. CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE AUDITION FORM Selected individuals or
South Bend Cubs Host 2025 Special Olympics Polar Plunge on February 22
SOUTH BEND, IN – The unofficial kickoff to the South Bend Cubs season begins with a splash! Four Winds Field will host the 9th annual South Bend Polar Plunge on Saturday, February 22 to benefit Special Olympics Indiana. The Cubs front office have a plunge team fans can donate to,
Cubs Den Team Store Announces 2024 Holiday Sales
SOUTH BEND, IN – Voted best team store in baseball, the Cubs Den Team Store is your holiday shopping destination. Get the best price on a variety of quality items with the Gold Standard service you’ve come to expect. Plan your holiday shopping with this helpful guide of sales through
South Bend Cubs Offering Free Tickets for Holiday Donations
SOUTH BEND, IN - Help make a difference for a family in need this holiday season and make a donation to the South Bend Cubs Holiday Food and Toy Drive. Like last year, the Cubs have teamed up with the Food Bank of Northern Indiana to accept non-perishable food items
South Bend Cubs Black Friday Ticket Package On Sale November 29
UPDATE: Our Black Friday ticket packages sold out but due to high demand, we're offering an additional 50 packs on Cyber Monday. Includes tickets, Cubs Den voucher, parking and more! Offer available on December 2, online only. Click Here to Purchase a Cyber Monday Package - On Sale 12/2 SOUTH
South Bend Cubs Announce Game Times for 2025 Season
SOUTH BEND, IN - In conjunction with Major League Baseball, the South Bend Cubs have announced home game start times for the 2025 season. For the third straight year, South Bend will open the campaign on the road, but this time against the Beloit Sky Carp in Wisconsin on Friday,
South Bend Cubs Donate Over $100,000 to Local Charities during the 2024 Season
South Bend, IN - In a season where the South Bend Cubs broke their single-game attendance record, with 8,169 fans packing Four Winds Field on July 25, and with phase one of the stadium renovations currently taking place, the organization is celebrating many marquee moments this off-season. A number of
Former South Bend Cubs Moises Ballesteros and Brandon Birdsell Named Chicago Cubs Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Year
SOUTH BEND, IN - On Wednesday afternoon, the Chicago Cubs named former South Bend Cubs Moises Ballesteros and Brandon Birdsell the organization’s Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Year, respectively. Ballesteros takes home the Player of the Year award for the second straight season, while this is Birdsell’s first
South Bend Cubs Athletic Trainer Nick Roberts Named Midwest League Athletic Trainer of the Year
SOUTH BEND, IN - After completing his second season as the Athletic Trainer for the South Bend Cubs, Nick Roberts has been named the 'Midwest League Athletic Trainer of the Year' by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS). PBATS named 16 winners for postseason athletic training recognition following the
South Bend Cubs 2024 Season Recap
The 2024 South Bend Cubs capped their season on Sunday, September 8 with a 3-1 win over the Fort Wayne TinCaps. A victory that afternoon meant South Bend won their final regular season series of the campaign for the second year in a row. This season did not end with
Groundbreaking for Stadium Improvements at Four Winds Field in South Bend
SOUTH BEND, Indiana (September 10, 2024) – Today, South Bend Mayor James Mueller, South Bend Cubs owner Andrew Berlin, along with other City officials and Indiana state legislators, gathered in downtown South Bend for a groundbreaking ceremony at Four Winds Field. The City-owned stadium has begun a multi-year $48 million
South Bend Cubs Release 2025 Schedule
SOUTH BEND, IN – In conjunction with Major League Baseball, the South Bend Cubs have announced the club's 2025 Midwest League schedule. The Cubs will open the season on the road on Friday, April 4 against the Beloit Sky Carp in Wisconsin. It will be the third season in a
Cubs Win Season Finale at Fort Wayne 3-1
Fort Wayne, IN - The South Bend Cubs put a bow on the 2024 Midwest League season with a Sunday victory, as well as a series win. In Fort Wayne, at Parkview Field against the Fort Wayne TinCaps, South Bend defeated their in-state rival in the final game of the
Wiggins’ Career Day Propels Cubs Past TinCaps 5-2
Fort Wayne, IN - Prior to August 10 last month, right-hander Jaxon Wiggins did not have a professional win on his stat line. Now on September 7, he has three. Wiggins won again on Saturday night at Parkview Field in Fort Wayne, striking out a career high nine batters in
TinCaps Beat Cubs 4-1 to Even Series
Fort Wayne, IN - In the final week of the Midwest League season, the Fort Wayne TinCaps and South Bend Cubs have now taken two victories each at Parkview Field this series. On Friday night, it was the TinCaps bullpen leading Fort Wayne to a 4-1 win. Nick Dean took
South Bend Storms Past TinCaps 9-5
Fort Wayne, IN - In a winding and weaving Thursday night at Parkview Field in Downtown Fort Wayne, the South Bend Cubs snatched this week’s series lead with their second straight victory since dropping the opener on Tuesday, winning by a final of 9-5. The Cubs trailed in the game
Gray Earns First Pro Win in Cubs 2-1 Victory Over Fort Wayne
Field, the South Bend Cubs also had some momentous accomplishments themselves in the team’s 2-1 victory over the Fort Wayne TinCaps. Drew Gray earned his first professional victory on the mound, Cam Smith clobbered his first Midwest League home run, and the Cubs turned a triple play in the 5th