By Aiden Walsh ‘26
Spring is here and so is the Crusader baseball season. The expectations are high as the Crusaders are coming off of a 36-5 season, a top four finish in the 4A state championship, and they were also ranked top five in the state of Illinois and top 50 in the nation.
To start off the season, the Crusaders will travel to Las Vegas, Nevada, on Monday, Mar. 16 to compete in the Bishop Gorman National Invitational. This invite features top teams from Florida, Nevada, California, Utah, and many more
When the Crusaders return from the tournament in Las Vegas, they will take on tough in-state teams like Reavis, Marion Catholic, Lincoln-Way Central, Libertyville, and Lockport. They will then head off to Louisville, Kentucky, to compete in another tough series of games with top teams from the state of Kentucky.
Senior Shea Leahy said, “Going to Kentucky with the baseball team is easily one of my favorite memories from my time at BR. From hanging out in the hotel to the long bus rides there and back, spending a few days with my brothers is something I will remember forever, and I cannot wait to go again this year.”
When the Crusaders return from Kentucky, their conference games will begin. In the CCL, each team will play each other twice – one at home and the other away. As usual, the CCL opponents will always be tough with teams like Providence, Nazareth, Loyola, and St. Laurence.
Something new for the Crusaders this year is that they will play the Mount Carmel Caravan at Wrigley Field. The game will take place on Thursday, Apr. 23, at 4:30 p.m. With a ticket to the game, you will have access to both the Chicago Cubs’ game at 1:20 p.m. and the CCL showdown between the Caravan and Crusaders at 4:30 p.m.
Senior Austin Mrskos said, “The team is extremely excited to be able to play on the same field that many of the best in the world play on.”
As the season nears, the Crusaders are excited and prepared to leave it all on the diamond to pursue a 4A State Championship.
