Josiah Hartshorn Shines Again as South Bend Cubs Claim Victory

On March 24, 2026, in Mesa, Arizona, the Chicago Cubs' minor league teams experienced a mix of successes and challenges. In particular, South Bend Cubs' first baseman Josiah Hartshorn continued to impress with his powerful hitting, contributing significantly to his team's 8-4 win over the Quad Cities River Bandits.

Hartshorn, who has been on fire this season, recorded his third home run in the Midwest League during the first inning, marking his eighth overall home run of the year. He ended the game with a strong performance, going 3 for 5, which included a double and three RBIs. His efforts helped lead a comeback after starting pitcher Alfredo Romero struggled early on, allowing four runs over three innings.

In the same game, Jackson Brockett stepped up in relief, tossing four scoreless innings to earn the win, while Kenyi Perez secured the save with an impressive six strikeouts against seven batters faced. Other notable performances included Drew Bowser, who notched a two-run double, and Miguel Olivo, who contributed a run-scoring single in the ninth inning.

Meanwhile, the Iowa Cubs faced a tough defeat against the Toledo Mud Hens, suffering a significant 16-1 loss, with starter Ty Blach giving up ten runs. The Knoxville Smokies also had a challenging game, narrowly losing 7-6 to the Birmingham Barons, while the Myrtle Beach Pelicans fell to the Charleston RiverDogs in a tense 4-3 extra-inning battle.

The minor league landscape continues to evolve as teams adjust their rosters and players aim to make their mark in the Cubs organization.