Travis Klosinski

Chicago Cubs Transactions Chicago Cubs sent LHP Jordan Wicks on a rehab assignment to Iowa Cubs. Chicago Cubs signed free agent LF Dylan Carlson to a minor league contract. Chicago Cubs transferred RHP Cade Horton from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. Right forearm strain. Chicago Cubs selected the contract of RHP Corbin Martin from Iowa Cubs. Bethancourt's Three-Hit Night Powers Iowa Past Columbus Iowa rallied past the Columbus Clippers for a 7-6 road win, with Christian Bethancourt driving in three runs on a 3-for-4 night that included a solo home run in the seventh and a two-run double in the eighth. The Cubs struck first in the top of the second, when Ben Cowles launched a two-run homer that also scored Chas McCormick. The Clippers cut into the deficit with two in the sixth before Iowa pushed back in the seventh, when Bethancourt's homer and a James Triantos RBI double that scored BJ Murray gave the Cubs a 4-2 edge. Columbus retook the lead in the bottom of the seventh with a three-run inning, but Iowa responded with three in the eighth. McCormick drew a bases-loaded walk that brought in Pedro Ramírez, and Bethancourt followed with his two-run double that scored Kevin Alcántara and Dylan Carlson. Triantos finished 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI, and a stolen base, and Cowles went 1-for-4 with the homer and two RBIs. Iowa drew six walks and managed eight hits, stranding six runners. On the mound, Jordan Wicks opened with three scoreless innings on his rehab assignment, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out two. Ty Blach followed with three and two-thirds innings of two-run ball, and Gabe Klobosits worked around a solo home run in the ninth to close it out. Player AB R H RBI BB K James Triantos (2B) 5 0 2 1 0 2 Jonathon Long (1B) 4 0 0 0 1 2 Pedro Ramírez (3B) 5 1 1 0 0 1 Kevin Alcántara (CF) 3 1 0 0 1 2 Dylan Carlson (LF) 3 1 0 0 1 1 Chas McCormick (RF) 2 1 0 1 2 0 Ben Cowles (SS) 4 1 1 2 0 0 Christian Bethancourt (C) 4 1 3 3 0 0 BJ Murray (DH) 3 1 1 0 1 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Jordan Wicks 3 1 0 0 1 2 0 Ty Blach 3 2/3 4 2 2 4 2 0 Charlie Barnes 1/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 Collin Snider 1 1 3 3 0 0 1 Gabe Klobosits 1 2 1 1 1 0 1 Santy's Strikeout Barrage Wasted in Knoxville's Loss The Knoxville Smokies fell 13-4 at Pensacola, unable to recover from an early deficit and a seven-run Blue Wahoos sixth inning. Starter Jake Knapp allowed six runs on four hits, three walks, and two home runs across three and one-third innings while striking out three. Luis Rujano was tagged for seven runs, six earned, on three hits and four walks in two innings. Marino Santy was the lone bright spot on the mound, striking out eight in two and two-thirds scoreless innings with no hits allowed and two walks. Andy Garriola led the offense with a 2-for-4 night that included a three-run home run in the fourth and a run-scoring single in the fifth that plated Jordan Nwogu. Ethan Hearn drove in the final Smokies run with an RBI single later in the fifth, scoring Edgar Alvarez. Jordan Nwogu reached three times with two hits, a double, and a stolen base, and scored once. Edgar Alvarez walked three times and added a double, coming around to score twice. Ariel Armas finished 2-for-4 with two stolen bases. Knoxville collected nine hits and drew four walks but left eight runners on base and struck out 11 times as a team. Player AB R H RBI BB K Alex Ramírez (CF) 4 0 1 0 1 1 Jordan Nwogu (LF) 4 1 2 0 0 1 Miguel Useche (PH) 1 0 0 0 0 1 Karson Simas (SS) 5 0 0 0 0 2 Edgar Alvarez (1B) 1 2 1 0 3 0 Andy Garriola (RF) 4 1 2 3 0 1 Ethan Hearn (DH) 4 0 1 1 0 1 Ariel Armas (C) 4 0 2 0 0 0 Devin Ortiz (3B) 4 0 0 0 0 1 Alex Madera (2B) 4 0 0 0 0 3 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Jake Knapp 3 1/3 4 6 6 3 3 2 Luis Rujano 2 3 7 6 4 1 1 Marino Santy 2 2/3 0 0 0 2 8 0 Kepley Swipes Three as South Bend Routs Beloit South Bend cruised to a 12-5 home win over the Beloit Sky Carp behind a balanced attack and seven team stolen bases. Leadoff man Kane Kepley went 2-for-3 with two walks, two RBIs, a run scored, and three stolen bases. Cameron Sisneros finished 3-for-5 with a double, three RBIs, and a stolen base, and Owen Ayers added a 2-for-4 night with a home run, three RBIs, a walk, and a stolen base. Kade Snell drove in three runs on a 2-for-5 effort. The Cubs broke through for four runs in the second, when Sisneros ripped a two-run double that scored Leonel Espinoza and Matt Halbach, then Kepley followed with a two-run single that scored Sisneros and Drew Bowser. South Bend pushed across five more in the seventh, with RBI singles from Owen Ayers, Kade Snell, Cameron Sisneros, and Drew Bowser doing the damage. Ayers capped the scoring with a solo home run in the eighth. Starter Koen Moreno turned in four innings of one-run ball, allowing one hit and three walks while striking out five. Grayson Moore worked two and two-thirds scoreless innings in relief, allowing two hits and one walk. The Cubs drew 13 walks on the night and left 15 runners on base. Player AB R H RBI BB K Kane Kepley (CF) 3 1 2 2 2 0 Angel Cepeda (DH) 2 0 0 0 0 0 Reginald Preciado (DH) 4 1 0 0 0 2 Owen Ayers (C) 4 2 2 3 1 2 Kade Snell (RF) 5 1 2 3 1 2 Leonel Espinoza (LF) 0 1 0 0 4 0 Brian Kalmer (LF) 2 0 0 0 0 1 Matt Halbach (3B) 6 2 2 0 0 3 Cameron Sisneros (1B) 5 2 3 3 0 1 Drew Bowser (2B) 4 1 1 1 1 1 Christian Olivo (SS) 1 1 0 0 4 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Koen Moreno 4 1 1 1 3 5 0 Ethan Bell 1/3 2 2 1 2 0 0 Grayson Moore 2 2/3 2 0 0 1 0 0 Nate Williams 2 4 2 2 0 2 0 Three Homers, Combined Shutout Lift Myrtle Beach Over Kannapolis Myrtle Beach rolled to a 6-0 home win over the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers behind three home runs and a three-pitcher shutout. Josiah Hartshorn led the offense with a 3-for-4 effort that included a two-run home run in the first, a double, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Cole Mathis went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in the fifth, and Derniche Valdez added a solo shot in the fourth while finishing 2-for-4. The Pelicans struck right away in the bottom of the first when Ty Southisene doubled, advanced, and scored on Hartshorn's home run. In the third, Cole Mathis came around to score on a Logan Poteet RBI single. Valdez's solo homer in the fourth pushed the lead to 4-0, and Mathis's two-run blast in the fifth, which also scored Hartshorn, capped the scoring. Southisene finished 1-for-5 with a double and a run, and Poteet reached three times with a single, two walks, and an RBI. Myrtle Beach collected 10 hits, drew four walks, and left seven runners on base. On the mound, Victor Zarraga opened with four scoreless innings, allowing three hits and one walk with one strikeout. Ben Johnson followed with three scoreless innings of one-hit ball, walking two and striking out three. Jackson Brockett closed it with two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out one. Player AB R H RBI BB K Ty Southisene (SS) 5 1 1 0 0 2 Josiah Hartshorn (RF) 4 2 3 2 0 0 Cole Mathis (1B) 4 2 2 2 0 2 Michael Carico (DH) 3 0 0 0 1 1 Logan Poteet (C) 2 0 1 1 2 1 Eli Lovich (LF) 4 0 0 0 0 1 Ludwing Espinoza (2B) 4 0 0 0 0 1 Derniche Valdez (3B) 4 1 2 1 0 1 Derik Alcantara (CF) 3 0 1 0 1 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Victor Zarraga 4 3 0 0 1 1 0 Ben Johnson 3 1 0 0 2 3 0 Jackson Brockett 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 Cubs Top-20 Prospect Performance Moises Ballesteros: DNP Jaxon Wiggins: DNP Jefferson Rojas: DNP Kevin Alcántara: 0-for-3, R, BB, 2 K Jonathon Long: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K Ethan Conrad: DNP Pedro Ramírez: 1-for-5, R, 2B, K Kane Kepley: 2-for-3, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 3 SB Josiah Hartshorn: 3-for-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI James Triantos: 2-for-5, 2B, RBI, SB, 2 K Brandon Birdsell: DNP Cole Mathis: 2-for-4, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, 2 K Angel Cepeda: 0-for-2 Kaleb Wing: DNP Will Sanders: DNP Juan Cabada: DNP Jostin Florentino: DNP Dominick Reid: DNP Ty Southisene: 1-for-5, R, 2B, 2 K Erian Rodriguez: DNP View full article

Chicago Cubs Affiliate Overview (April 10th - April 12th) Triple-A Iowa Cubs Season Record: 8-6 Series Opponent: Omaha Storm Chasers Series Standing: 2-3 Double-A Knoxville Smokies Season Record: 5-4 Series Opponent: Rocket City Trash Pandas Series Standing: 4-2 High-A South Bend Cubs Season Record: 4-2 Series Opponent: Peoria Chiefs Series Standing: 4-2 Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans Season Record: 5-4 Series Opponent: Columbia Fireflies Series Standing: 2-4 Triple-A Iowa Cubs Season Record: 8-6 Series Opponent: Omaha Storm Chasers Series Standing: 2-3 April 10 (Game 1): Iowa opened with early execution as Justin Dean singled, stole second, and scored on a BJ Murray RBI single. Kevin Alcántara added a double, but the offense stalled. Omaha broke through with a four-run third inning, stringing together extra-base hits and singles to take control. Iowa’s pitching could not recover from the surge, and the offense was held scoreless the rest of the way in a 6-1 loss. April 10 (Game 2): Iowa fell behind early as Omaha capitalized on walks and timely hits to build a 3-0 lead. Christian Bethancourt’s two-run home run in the fifth ignited the offense, and Iowa tied the game in the sixth behind doubles from Jonathon Long and Pedro Ramírez. The bullpen held through extra innings, but Omaha broke through in the ninth with a two-run single, handing Iowa a 6-4 loss. April 11: Iowa responded with a 7-3 win, rallying after an early deficit. James Triantos drove in a run, and Justin Dean added a two-run single before Ben Cowles delivered a two-run double in a decisive sixth inning. Jonathon Long extended the lead with a run-scoring double. Iowa’s pitching stabilized after early pressure and limited Omaha to three runs, closing out the game effectively. April 12: Game canceled. Double-A Knoxville Smokies Season Record: 5-4 Series Opponent: Rocket City Trash Pandas Series Standing: 4-2 April 10: Knoxville fell behind early as Rocket City scored across the first four innings. The Smokies responded in the fifth with Carter Trice’s double, RBI singles from Alex Madera and Jefferson Rojas, and a two-run double from Alex Ramírez. Knoxville trimmed the deficit to one, but Rocket City added three runs in the eighth. A bases-loaded chance in the ninth produced only one run in a 9-6 loss. April 11: Both teams were scoreless through five innings before Knoxville broke through in the sixth. Rocket City responded in the eighth, but Devin Ortiz homered to cut the deficit. In the ninth, Karson Simas tied the game with an RBI hit, and Ortiz delivered a sacrifice fly to complete the comeback. Knoxville’s pitching held early and limited late damage in a 4-3 win. April 12: Knoxville took a 1-0 lead on Devin Ortiz’s home run but fell behind in the eighth. The Smokies tied the game in the ninth on a Haydn McGeary double after a bases-loaded walk cut the deficit. In the 10th, Rocket City used the extra-inning runner to score three runs on a bunt, single, and double. Knoxville added a run but fell 7-4. High-A South Bend Cubs Season Record: 4-2 Series Opponent: Peoria Chiefs Series Standing: 4-2 April 10: South Bend took control early as Reginald Preciado drove in two runs with a double. Kade Snell and Owen Ayers added middle-inning production, and Angel Cepeda extended the lead with a three-run double. Peoria mounted a late rally, loading the bases in the ninth, but South Bend’s pitching held to secure an 8-6 win. April 11: Trailing early, South Bend erupted for seven runs in the seventh inning. Cameron Sisneros opened the rally with a home run, and Leonel Espinoza followed with a three-run shot. Drew Bowser added a two-run single, and Matt Halbach homered late. South Bend’s pitching limited Peoria after the early innings in a 9-3 win. April 12: South Bend led early before Peoria scored four runs in the fifth. In the ninth, Leonel Espinoza doubled and Owen Ayers delivered a two-run home run to reclaim the lead. The bullpen closed the final inning, preserving a 5-4 win and completing the series sweep of the weekend games. Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans Season Record: 5-4 Series Opponent: Columbia Fireflies Series Standing: 2-4 April 10: Myrtle Beach struck first as Ty Southisene set the table with aggressive baserunning and Alexey Lumpuy drove in two runs with a single. Columbia answered quickly and added runs in the middle innings. Despite multiple stolen bases and baserunners, Myrtle Beach could not capitalize further and was held scoreless after the third in a 6-2 loss. April 11: The Pelicans traded runs early and reclaimed the lead in the seventh after Ludwing Espinoza tripled and scored. Jairo Diaz extended the lead with a three-run home run in the eighth, but Columbia responded with a late rally, tying and taking the lead on a double and sacrifice fly. Myrtle Beach was retired in order in the ninth in a 10-8 loss April 12: Columbia built an early lead with a first-inning grand slam and added runs in the fourth. Myrtle Beach responded with a solo home run from Cole Mathis but struggled to generate sustained offense. Late runs from Eli Lovich and Derik Alcantara narrowed the gap, but the early deficit proved decisive in an 8-3 loss. Cubs Transactions Chicago Cubs placed RHP Hunter Harvey on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to April 9, 2026, with right triceps inflammation. Chicago Cubs selected the contract of LHP Charlie Barnes from Iowa Cubs. View full article

Cubs Affiliate Overview (April 3rd - April 5th) Triple-A Iowa Cubs Series at St. Paul Saints (Minnesota Twins): Win 5-1 Season Record: 5-3 Double-A Tennessee Smokies Series vs. Birmingham Barons (White Sox): 2-1 Season Record: 2-1 High-A South Bend Cubs Series vs. Quad Cities River Bandits: 0-1 Season Record: 0-1 Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans Series vs. Charleston River Dogs: Win 3-0 Season Record: 3-0 Triple-A Iowa Cubs Season Record: 6-3 Series Opponent: Louisville Bats Series Standing: 5-1 April 3: The Iowa Cubs are back with a vengeance with their first series of the season against the Louisville Bats. Friday’s game was a dominant outing for the Iowa Cubs, overtaking the Bats 7-2. Will Sanders his first quality start of the season on the mound with 7 strikeouts and 2 home runs. The 2nd inning was the busiest for the Cub’s bats. Chas McCormick sent a rocket over the left center field wall on a 1-2 count to tie the game. Justin Dean singled with a line drive to center, scoring Christian Bethancourt and advancing Brett Bateman into scoring position. With two outs James Triantos extended the lead with a home run of his own, giving Iowa a 4 run lead against the Bats. Chas McCormick doubled on a lined drive to left field scoring Pedro Ramirez. Notably in the 9th, Jonathan Long tripled on a sharp hit fly ball to center field where he was able to score on a wild pitch, giving Iowa their 7th run of the night. April 4: It was an early and high scoring battle with Iowa’s game being cut short after the start of the 6th inning due to weather giving the I-Cubs their 4th straight win. Iowa set a strong lead in the first 3 innings running up the score to to 8 runs leading by 2. Justin Wiggins took to the mound pitching 4 innings. With increased focus following Cade Horton’s early removal from Chicago’s game against the Guardians on 4/03. Wiggins had a difficult start finding his rhythm, walking 2 batters, giving up 2 runs in the 2nd and a homerun in the 3rd striking out 4; Wiggins ERA sits at 5.63. Luke Little closed the game earning his 2nd win of the season. BJ Murray, Pedro Ramirez and Kevin Alcántara each logged their third home run of the season by the 3rd inning giving Alcántara his 7th RBI of the season and 3rd long ball in 6 games. April 5: The Iowa Cubs struck early and built a steady lead on the way to a 6–2 win over Louisville at Louisville Slugger Field. James Triantos set the tone in the first, singling, stealing second, and advancing to third on an error before scoring on Jonathon Long’s RBI single for a 1–0 lead. Kevin Alcántara added to the advantage in the third, launching a solo home run to left field. After Louisville answered with a run in the bottom half, Iowa responded with a decisive fourth inning. BJ Murray opened the fourth with a walk and stolen base, and later scored on Christian Bethancourt’s single. Triantos followed with a two-run double to left, bringing home Ben Cowles and Bethancourt to extend the lead to 5–1. Chas McCormick added insurance in the fifth with a solo home run to left center to mark his third straight games of homers. Triantos finished 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI, and a run scored, while Long added two hits and an RBI. Murray reached base twice, scored two runs, and tripled in the eighth. Bethancourt collected two hits and drove in a run. Starter Vince Velasquez worked five innings, allowing one run with two walks and six strikeouts and was named Player of The Game. Tyler Santana followed with three innings, allowing one run with one walk and three strikeouts. Gavin Hollowell handled the ninth, allowing one run and striking out one. Louisville scored once in the ninth, but Iowa maintained control to secure the win. Double-A: Knoxville Smokies Season Record: 1-1 Series Opponent: Birmingham Barons (White Sox) Series Standing: 1-1 April 3: The Knoxville Smokies started their season off with a bang wining their opener with a 9-6 victory. Jefferson Rojas for his first at bat launched a 3 run homer in the 1st inning. Rojas looked much more comfortable in the box compared to his last season appearance indicating strong offseason development. Seiya Suzuki made his first appearance on a rehab assignment going 1-2 with a sac fly and scoring a run. Suzuki looked comfortable in warm ups and batting practice prior to the game with solid plate appearances until being sat after the 5th inning. A.D. Ramírez contributed multiple hits with 2 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Jordan Nwogu and Ariel Armas also contributed multi-hit games. The Smokies bullpen preserved the lead with Zane Mills starting pitching going into the 4th. Knoxville played well defensively with a key double play from Rojas to Edgar Alvarez to halt any rally from the Barons. Jefferson Rojas made a stellar diving play to end the 6th inning. Starter Zane Mills worked on the mound for 3 innings before the bullpen came in. Tyler Beck earned the win by holding the game with 2 hits and 3 runs with relievers Andrew Schultz and Edwin Taylor both contributing 2 scoreless innings to hold the lead and secure the win. April 4: The Smokie lost 6-2 on Saturday. An inability for the offense to get traction set the Smokies back while pitching from Knoxville took longer than desired to find a rhythm. Jefferson Rojas went 1-4 and scoring a run his only hit being a double on an outside pitch with a 2-2 count. Edgar Alvarez hit a single and earned an RBI to score Rojas and Karson Simas got on base and scored a run to give Knoxville their only runs of the game. Seiya Suzuki went 1-4 in DH with a notable punch out looking that had everyone in knoxville wishing for ABS. Starting pitching for the Smokies was Luis Martinez-Gomez who had a shaky start to his season. The first inning proved difficult for Martinez-Gomez to find the strike zone while also giving up a 2 run home run earning him the loss for this game. April 5: The Knoxville Smokies fell 10–5 to Birmingham after a decisive early stretch at Covenant Health Park. Birmingham struck quickly in the second inning, stringing together four singles to take a 4–0 lead. The visitors added to it in the third, highlighted by a two-run double from Wilfred Veras and another two-run double from Calvin Harris. Caden Connor capped the inning with a three-run double, extending the deficit to 10–0. Knoxville broke through in the fourth. Seiya Suzuki singled and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Jordan Nwogu to make it 10–1. The Smokies added more in the fifth when Karson Simas connected on a two-run home run, bringing home Andy Garriola and trimming the margin to seven. Knoxville continued to chip away late. In the eighth, Jefferson Rojas singled and scored on Ariel Armas’ double. Garriola followed with an RBI single, scoring Armas to cut the deficit to 10–5. Suzuki reached base twice and scored a run, while Garriola collected two hits and scored once. Simas drove in two runs with his home run, and Armas added a double and RBI. Starter Yenrri Rojas worked 2 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs with two walks and two strikeouts. Grant Kipp followed with 1 1/3 innings, allowing three runs with two walks and no strikeouts. Jake Bockenstedt added two innings of relief, striking out one without allowing a run. Despite late offense, Knoxville could not overcome the early deficit. High-A South Bend Cubs Season Record: N/A Series Opponent: The Quad Cities River Bandits (Kansas City Royals) Series Standing: N/A April 3: The South Bend Cubs have had a less than ideal start to their season. The opening day ceremonies, and first home opener since 2022, were cut short due to a flooded infield that was deemed unsafe for play. A disappointing day as the South Bend Cubs unveiled their double decker stadium expansion to seat more than 10,000 attendees. April 4: Saturday’s game was also postponed due to Weather and Fielding Conditions. April 5: Sunday’s game was a 7 inning double header against the River Bandits. Low-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans Season Record: 3-0 Series Opponent: Charleston River Dogs (Tampa Bay Rays) Series Standing: 3-0 April 3: Friday’s game for the Pelicans came on the heels of a 15 run blow out against the River Dogs. The Pelicans pulled through with a late game comeback win over Charleston, erasing a 1 run deficit in the 9th on a go-ahead 2 run home run from Cole Mathis to lock the 5-4 victory for the Pelicans. Cole Mathis delivered the securing swing of the night with his 2 run homer in the 9th while Josiah Hartshorn and Micahael Carico each contributed a solo homer earlier in the game. Jordan Henriquez earned the win on the mound. This win over the River Dogs delivers back to back wins for the Pelicans, scoring early in both games. The pelicans delivered a strong continuation off of thursday’s victory by clawing back the win with a multiple homerun game and a strong early offensive outing for Myrtle Beach to open the series. April 4: Break out the broomsticks for Myrtle Beach as the Pelicans held off a late game come back by the River Dogs to sweep the series at home with a final score of 4-3. Alex Lumpuy led Myrtle Beach at the plate with 3 hits and 2 stolen bases. Josiah Hartshorn, Luis Escobar, and Michael Vargas each drove in runs to bring up the Pelican’s lead. On the mound, David Bracho started, with Erisbel Melendez and Dean Jerzembeck each combining for 9 innings of solid pitching, each maintaining a 0.0 ERA for the start of their season. Dean Jerzembeck held the late game rally by the River Dogs to earn the win. On the fielding side for the Pelicans; 3 errors were earned with 2 coming in the 9th inning with a fielding error by Eli Lovich and a throwing error by Lu Espinoza that spurred the late game rally for the River Dogs. April 5: The Pelicans have April 5 and April 6 off to prepare for their stretch on the road against the Columbia Fireflies for a six-game series on April 7 at Segra Park. View full article

There’s a certain magic unique to baseball. Something that only exists in rumors and tall tales. That kind of magic is what gave birth to baseball in South Bend, Indiana. A Ghost and a Glove (1860-1920) On the eve of the Civil War, a man named Henry Benjamin arrived in South Bend, carrying only a worn glove and rules to an unknown game. Before long Henry captivated South Bend with the game of baseball and soon established the first South Bend team, “The Hoosiers”. By 1870, South Bend was steeped in baseball and Henry Benjamin had vanished without a trace — no photos, no newspaper clippings; he was never registered on the census. All that remained of him was the game he brought. In the rusted iron dust and earth of factory back lots, amidst the deafening hum of machinery at the turn of the 19th century, baseball took root and found its rhythm and for over 100 years, grew with the city. In that time, another legend helped take South Bend’s pastime and solidify it as a cornerstone of the city. If Henry Benjamin was the soul of baseball in South Bend, Stanley Coveleski was its flesh and blood. Born to Polish immigrants in the coal-mining town of Shamokin, Pennsylvania. at the age of 12, Stanley Coveleski began working in those coal mines. On his breaks, when he had them, he often honed his aim by throwing rocks at cans. Later in life, he used that arm to secure the win in three games of the 1920 World Series. He finished his career with over 200 wins. When the time came to hang the glove it wasn’t New York or Cleveland where he chose to settle. It was South Bend. Coveleski made this factory town his home, where he offered free pitching lessons to local youth for decades. His impact in the community may have been greatest in backlots, sandlots, and neighborhood ball diamonds where the kids put Coveleski’s lessons to use for years to come, and when the time came, teaching it to kids of their own. The Studebaker Era (1920-1980) In the early days following Coveleski’s retirement in 1929, South Bend had already seen the rise of several early baseball clubs — yeams like the Whitecaps and the legendary Green Stockings. These teams were supported by local business. Factories like the famous Studebaker Company contributed to the construction of many stadiums and fields for their workers. Coveleski’s presence, along with the booming investment from South Bend’s auto industry, helped build a thriving baseball culture. That era, and Coveleski's influence, brought legends like Babe Ruth and later Satchel Paige to town for exhibition games. But no good thing lasts forever. Late into the 1950s, the economy had come to a standstill. As Studebaker struggled to survive, they desperately reclaimed the fields it had built (invoking contract clauses to reclaim ownership). This collapsed the adult, semi-pro, and casual leagues throughout the city. Ball diamonds became land assets and were sold off; Studebaker closed regardless. A City Asleep (1980–2010) Through to the 1980s, baseball had disappeared as South Bend spent decades trying to recover economically from the collapse of local businesses. In 1984, the city turned to a nontraditional approach for change, bringing baseball back. In 1986, yhe city’s first High-A baseball team came to town and in 1988, Stanley Coveleski Stadium was opened next to the ruins of the old Studebaker buildings as a testament of endurance. The pride of a baseball town was reignited with South Bend winning the Midwest League Championships in 1989 and 1993. By 1994, the South Bend Silver Hawks, affiliate for the Diamondbacks replaced the original team. “The Cove” became a community staple and went on to win the City its third Midwest title in 2005. Around that time, word spread that the Diamondbacks were leaving risking a blow to the city that it could not afford. Former Indiana Governor, Joe Kernan, a South Bend native, ballplayer, and POW, led a group of investors to purchase the team in 2006 and “The Cove” celebrated its 4 millionth fan. While the stadium was saved, maintenance slipped and attendance went with it. This was in no small part due to the recession of 2008 which destroyed any economic progress South Bend made since Studebaker. Unemployment skyrocketed and sections of the city rapidly decayed, particularly south of the city where “The Cove” was located. The odds weren’t with the ball club, but the city persisted — they'd unfortunately been in this situation before. Berlin’s At-Bat The former governor found a potential buyer and here is where Andrew Berlin enters the frame. Berlin's initial impression of Coveleski Stadium was that “There were just a couple hundred people there and the place didn’t look that great... Gov. Kernan joked with me that it was Friends and Family Day. As charming and as thoughtful as he was… it was kind of hard to see what we could do with this stadium. It was in a tough place in 2011. [Source: South Bend Tribune] Berlin was hesitant to purchase the team at first but, “Joe convinced me it was a diamond in the rough. Once in, I was all in. I leaned in hard because I wasn’t going to go into a business and not try to be successful." In 2011, Berlin purchased the team and focused on keeping the team in South Bend. With Berlin’s backing and a newfound enthusiasm, attendance skyrocketed by 68% the first year and a new team store was established in left field after the conversation of an old synagogue. The transformation was completed in 2013 with the renaming of the field to “Four Winds Field at Coveleski Stadium” to honor Caveleski and the local band of Potatwomi tribe. “Four Winds” comes from the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi and represents beginnings, strength, reflection, wisdom, and endurance. Those winds now carry the sound of the game, the roar of the crowd, and the sense that something that was lost has found its way home. The city had its ball team. Now it had to prove it could work. The Cubs Arrive The proof came quickly. On Sept 25, 2014, the South Bend Silver Hawks were re-branded again and “The Cove” had a new team. The South Bend Cubs found their home, with a clear goal — to make Four Winds Field their very own ‘Little Wrigley’. Andrew Berlin contributed several million dollars in investment into the team and its infrastructure by fully renovating the field with new natural turf for first pitch on April 9th, 2015. The next month, the South Bend Cubs opened their state-of-the-art Performance Center; a 17,000-square-foot facility built for top-of-the-line development. Plasters get Major League level analysis and training to make the adjustments and tuning to make it to the professional level. It’s also one of the few places where professional-level instruction is open to the public alongside future Cubs as they refine their game. Its proximity to Wrigley Field and its high-end performance center makes South Bend a natural stop for rehab assignments, where established players return to form alongside those still working to make it to The Show. Where The Road to The Show Begins Since becoming the High-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs in 2015, South Bend has become a true proving ground in the Cubs’ system. Some of the most notable players who have played in South Bend include players like: Nico Hoerner, Christopher Morel, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Miguel Amaya, Brennen Davis, and Owen Caissie who all came through as top prospects that's given South Bend a particular point of pride. This isn’t just a stop along the way though. It’s where the wheat is separated from the chaff, where performance starts to matter, where adjustments take shape, and where potential turns to talent. What happens in South Bend isn’t accidental – it’s built into the level. It’s close enough to Chicago that players get their first glimpses of light from the Marquee while progressing on the long road ahead. There’s no hiding here, only repetition, failure, and the slow process of becoming something that can last. What started with player development didn’t just happen on the field. For the next two years, the South Bend Cubs set attendance record after attendance record, earning recognition for their facilities and securing their place in the Cubs’ system over the long term. But the growth didn’t stop there. The South Bend Cubs were voted best Class A ballpark in the country in 2017 and was given the privilege of hosting the 55th Annual Midwest League All-Star Game and Home Run Derby for the efforts. Something that hadn’t happened in more than 30 years. That momentum rolled right into more investment. The Ivy at Berlin Place rose beyond the outfield wall, the addition of rooftop seating brought a familiar Wrigley feel to South Bend, and the stadium itself expanded to meet the demand. The latest expansion, a $48 million project, will push capacity over 10,000 and position South Bend to make the case for AA or even reach for AAA designation after 2030. This expansion adds a new upper deck level, expanded concourses, and a year-round event space. The new upper deck’s exposed steel support beams were designed to intentionally replicate those at Wrigley Field, furthering the “Little Wrigley” moniker. The city recently purchased the historic Union Train Station across from the ballpark with the hopes of someday connecting a train line to Chicago emulating taking the redline to Wrigley Field. In total, more than $60 million has been invested into Four Winds Field. This investment didn’t just change the stadium — it’s changed the city around it. New apartments with rooftop stands, bars, restaurants are all planned to rap the stadium South Bend has been many things over the decades; a booming factory town, a city shaken by collapse, and now its a baseball town again. This team doesn’t just play in the city. It plays for it. Loyal fans cheer at every crack of the bat, you can feel time reaching back — from Henry Benjamin’s quiet arrival, to Stanley Coveleski’s lasting presence, to the Cubs’ next generation taking shape just a short ride from Chicago. The Cubs didn’t just bring baseball back to South Bend. They helped bring the city back to itself. This is more than a field to the city. It’s more than a game to us. View full article

At a Glance Iowa Cubs (73–72) – Lost two straight, and their postseason hopes are fading fast. Knoxville Smokies – Season concluded earlier in September. South Bend Cubs – Season concluded earlier in September. Myrtle Beach Pelicans – Season concluded earlier in September. Iowa Cubs (Triple-A) September 16 — Toledo 8, Iowa 4 Toledo struck early with a bases-clearing double in the first inning, but Iowa fought back in the middle frames. Miguel Amaya plated a run, Chase Strumpf doubled home another, and Rafael Morel’s two-run single briefly pushed the Cubs ahead 4–3. James Triantos collected three hits, setting the table throughout the night. The Mud Hens reclaimed momentum in the sixth with old friend Gage Workman’s three-run homer, part of a five-run frame that sealed Iowa’s fate. A highlight came in the fifth when Billy Hamilton entered as a pinch-runner and stole both second and third, a flash of trademark speed despite the eventual loss. September 17 — Toledo 5, Iowa 1 (Final/7, rain-shortened) The nightcap started with promise when Chase Strumpf launched a solo homer in the second, his 12th of the year, to tie the game 1–1. That would be Iowa’s lone run. Toledo responded with Jace Jung’s solo homer in the sixth and Andrew Navigato’s two-run double, stretching the margin to four. Jonathon Long singled in the sixth, but the Cubs managed only four hits overall. Rain cut the contest short after seven innings, finalizing the Mud Hens’ sweep. Knoxville Smokies (Double-A) The Smokies’ season concluded earlier in September. South Bend Cubs (High-A) The South Bend season has concluded. Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Single-A) The Pelicans’ season has also wrapped up. Closing Note Two straight losses to Toledo dropped Iowa to 73–72. Their elimination number is nearly gone, and one more stumble—or a rival win—could close out their postseason chase. Still, bright spots like Triantos’ multi-hit efforts and Strumpf’s late-season power surge show pieces of the next wave continuing to press forward. View full article

Image courtesy of © Lily Smith/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images At a Glance Iowa Cubs (72–67): Split two in Indianapolis; 5th in International League West, above .500 but on the playoff fringe. Knoxville Smokies (67–65): Took both from Montgomery; 3rd in Southern League North, still pushing for a late berth. South Bend Cubs (55–74 / 33–32 2nd Half): Eliminated from postseason despite second-half improvement. Myrtle Beach Pelicans (0–1): Dropped playoff opener to Columbia; must win next two to advance. Iowa Cubs The series in Indianapolis mirrored Iowa’s season: moments of resilience punctuated by missed opportunities. In the first game, the Cubs grinded through ten scoreless frames before finally exploding in the 11th. Caleb Kilian carried the staff through a high-wire 10th inning, stranding the winning run at third with a strikeout to extend the game. In the 11th, Hayden Cantrelle’s sacrifice bunt moved the ghost runner to third, and James Triantos’ fielder’s choice plated the first run. From there the floodgates opened: Long and Carlos Pérez each singled in runs, Rafael Morel doubled home two more, and Parker Chavers capped the seven-run frame. Iowa’s 7–0 victory was as lopsided as the box score suggests, driven by late patience and timely contact. On September 10, starter Antonio Santos was tagged for four runs in the first inning, capped by a three-run homer from Rafael Flores. Though Jonathon Long’s 20th blast and a two-run rally in the seventh gave Iowa life, the bullpen couldn’t stop the Indians’ steady push in an 8–3 defeat. Season snapshot: At 72–67, the I-Cubs are above water but stuck in 5th place in the IL West. With only a handful of games left, their elimination number is shrinking fast. Knoxville Smokies Knoxville kept its postseason hopes alive by playing its best baseball in Montgomery. In the first game, Brett Bateman walked and stole second to open the game, scoring on a wild pitch. Murray drilled a homer, and Nwogu added a two-run shot before Montgomery recorded the second out. That four-run first was all the cushion Tommy Romero needed, as he dealt six scoreless innings. The lineup didn’t stop there, adding four more in the late frames behind Pedro Ramirez and Murray’s bats to complete a 10–0 rout. On September 10, the Smokies trailed 2–0 into the eighth before erupting. Casey Opitz and Jordan Nwogu reached to set the stage, BJ Murray Jr. forced in a run with a bases-loaded walk, and Ethan Hearn followed with a two-run single to give Tennessee its first lead. Montgomery tied it in the bottom half, but Nwogu answered with a go-ahead single in the ninth and a wild pitch tacked on insurance. Tyler Santana closed it with strikeouts to seal a 5–3 win. Season snapshot: The Smokies are 67–65, sitting 3rd in the Southern League North. A postseason slot is still possible, but they’ll need to keep winning and hope the standings break their way. South Bend Cubs The South Bend Cubs did not play during this two-day window, but their season story is written. A rough first half buried them in the standings, yet a 33–32 second-half record showed progress. Their overall mark sits at 55–74, and by September 10, they were officially eliminated from playoff contention. Season snapshot: South Bend never quite found its stride early, but the stronger second half suggests a step forward for a roster in transition. Myrtle Beach Pelicans Playoff baseball opened in Myrtle Beach, but the Pelicans stumbled against Columbia in a 4–1 loss. Ty Southisene singled and scored on Cole Mathis’s first-inning double, but the bats fell silent from there. Columbia capitalized on defensive miscues and timely hits, plating two runs in both the sixth and seventh innings. Season snapshot: Down 0–1 in a best-of-three semifinal, the Pelicans now face elimination and must win back-to-back games to keep their season alive. Closing Thoughts As the minor league year winds down, the Cubs’ affiliates sit in different places. Iowa is clinging to an outside shot, Knoxville is charging late, South Bend is eliminated but showing signs of growth, and Myrtle Beach is fighting for survival in the playoffs. Which affiliate do you believe has the best chance to extend the Cubs’ season into late September? View full article

Image courtesy of © Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images At a Glance Iowa Cubs: 2-0 vs. Omaha, record 66-66 Knoxville Smokies: Split 1-1 vs. Rocket City, record 61-65 South Bend Cubs: Down 0-1 vs. Wisconsin, second game suspended (trail 2-1, B4), record 53-73 Myrtle Beach Pelicans: Split 1-1 vs. Columbia, record 67-58 Iowa Cubs vs. Omaha Iowa opened September by dominating the Storm Chasers. On September 2, the Cubs erupted for nine runs in the fourth inning, leading to a 12-0 rout. Carlos Pérez headlined with two home runs and five RBIs, while Austin Gomber and three relievers combined for a two-hit shutout. The next day was tighter, but Iowa still found a way to come out on top. After Omaha tied the game late, James Triantos came through with an RBI single in the eighth, giving the Cubs a 4-3 win and a 2-0 series edge. The victories nudged Iowa back to the .500 mark and kept their late-season momentum alive. Knoxville Smokies vs. Rocket City Tuesday night turned into frustration for Knoxville, who managed only four hits in a 1-0 loss. A lone RBI double was all Rocket City needed to edge past the Smokies, spoiling a solid start from Tommy Romero. The Smokies answered back on Wednesday. After seven innings ended tied 1-1, Knoxville exploded for four runs in the eighth. Ethan Hearn provided the decisive swing, delivering the game-winner in a 5-4 victory. The Smokies evened the series and snapped back from their offensive slump at the right time. South Bend Cubs vs. Wisconsin South Bend’s margin for error is gone, and Tuesday’s 6-3 loss to Wisconsin made things even tougher. Despite five scoreless innings from starter Dawson Netz and RBIs from the Hernandez brothers, the bullpen faltered late. A two-run double by Andrew Fischer in the seventh proved the backbreaker, and Beloit’s win elsewhere pushed South Bend to the brink of elimination. On Wednesday, the Cubs never got the chance to respond. Rain washed out play in the bottom of the fourth with Wisconsin leading 2-1. The suspended game will resume Thursday at 5:35 PM ET before the regularly scheduled contest. Myrtle Beach Pelicans vs. Columbia The Pelicans saw plenty of fireworks in this two-game stretch. On Tuesday, Angel Cepeda and Alexey Lumpuy homered, but the Fireflies outlasted Myrtle Beach 11-8 with a string of late runs. The script flipped Wednesday. Myrtle Beach struck for five runs in the third inning, powered by Christian Olivo’s triple and timely hits from Ty Southisene and Lumpuy. A wild pitch added more cushion, and the bullpen coasted to a 9-1 win that evened the set. Final Thoughts Four affiliates, four very different storylines -- Iowa’s surge, Knoxville’s resilience, South Bend’s stalled push, and Myrtle Beach’s split. Which club’s late-inning drama stood out most to you? View full article

Image courtesy of © Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images Farm System at a Glance Iowa: 1–1 at Las Vegas, 59–63 overall, 9.5 GB IL West Tennessee: 1–1 at Birmingham, 55–58 overall, 7.0 GB SL North South Bend: 0–2 at Peoria, 30–25 second half (61–60 overall), T-1st MWL West Myrtle Beach: 1–1 at Fayetteville, 64–55 overall, 1st CL South (39–16 second half, magic #3) Triple-A Iowa Cubs August 26 – Las Vegas 10, Iowa 0 The I-Cubs were blanked in the series opener, shut down after four innings by a six-run rally from the Aviators. Antonio Santos worked into the fourth before Las Vegas capitalized with a pair of hit batters, a walk, and a bases-clearing home run from Max Schuemann. Iowa was held to just four hits, all singles, and struck out 11 times. August 27 – Iowa 11, Las Vegas 9 The bats answered back a night later with a back-and-forth slugfest. Carlos Pérez launched two home runs, including a decisive solo shot in the ninth, and Parker Chavers added a two-run double as part of Iowa’s eight-run outburst through the third inning. Forrest Wall doubled home a run, and James Triantos delivered a two-run single in the rally. Las Vegas chipped away with three runs in the third and tied the game at 8–8 by the end of the inning, but Iowa’s bullpen steadied late. Ethan Roberts and Riley Martin closed the door after Pérez’s go-ahead blast. Double-A Knoxville Smokies August 26 – Knoxville 6, Birmingham 2 The Smokies took the opener behind a balanced lineup. Pablo Aliendo’s three-run homer in the second set the tone, while Andy Garriola followed with a two-run shot in the fourth. Jefferson Rojas and Pedro Ramirez each singled to extend innings and add pressure, while starter Tommy Romero allowed just two runs across four innings. Evan Taylor and Chase Watkins combined for three scoreless frames in relief. August 27 – Birmingham 6, Knoxville 2 A night later, the tables turned. Pedro Ramirez homered to tie the game in the sixth, and Andy Garriola’s sacrifice fly briefly put Tennessee ahead in the seventh. But Birmingham stormed back with a five-run eighth, capped by Wilfred Veras’s bases-clearing triple. The Smokies managed eight hits but went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. High-A South Bend Cubs August 26 – Peoria 12, South Bend 1 South Bend’s road trip opened with a rough defeat. Recently promoted right-hander Dawson Netz made his High-A debut, striking out six in five innings, but the Chiefs piled on late with a nine-run eighth inning. Alexis Hernandez provided the lone highlight with his first Midwest League homer, a solo shot in the seventh. August 27 – Peoria 10, South Bend 2 The struggles continued a night later as the Cubs allowed double-digit runs for the second straight game. Kevin Valdez labored through three innings before Jack Neely yielded a solo homer in relief. Brian Kalmer belted his eighth home run in the seventh, extending Edgar Alvarez’s hitting streak to 10 games, but Peoria’s offense was relentless. Despite the two losses, South Bend remained tied for first in the West Division thanks to consecutive Beloit defeats. Quad Cities crept closer, trimming the gap to 1.5 games. Low-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans August 26 – Fayetteville 1, Myrtle Beach 0 The Pelicans dropped a narrow opener, undone by a solo homer from Arturo Flores in the fifth. Ty Southisene collected two of the team’s four hits and swiped two bases, while Alfredo Romero held Fayetteville to just three hits over five innings. The Pelicans stranded six runners and went hitless with runners in scoring position. August 27 – Myrtle Beach 5, Fayetteville 3 Myrtle Beach evened the series the following night with timely hitting. Eli Lovich grounded out to score the first run, and Christian Olivo and Southisene followed with RBI knocks in the second. Halbach and Kepley each homered to stretch the lead, while Thomas Mangus tossed three scoreless innings for the win. Fayetteville clawed back with two runs in the seventh, but Mathew Peters secured the save. Jose Escobar collected two hits, and the Pelicans trimmed their magic number to clinch the Carolina League South second-half title. South Bend has dropped the first two in Peoria but remains tied for first thanks to Beloit’s struggles. With Quad Cities closing the gap, which club do you see finishing strongest down the stretch in the Midwest League West? View full article