Gulf Coast HEAT is 0-5 against Keswick Christian since February of 2015 but things could change on Friday. Gulf Coast HEAT will challenge the Keswick Christian Crusaders at 4:00 p.m. Gulf Coast HEAT has given up an average of 8.5 runs per game this season, so hopefully the team got some pitching drills in this week.
Things were looking good for Gulf Coast HEAT after they put the first points on the board on Thursday, but unfortunately for them things went downhill from there. They lost 17-3 to Foundation Christian Academy. Gulf Coast HEAT has now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
Kevin McNulty was huge while hitting and pitching even without the win. He tossed 4.1 innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off two hits. McNulty was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with three stolen bases. What's more, he posted two hits, the most he's had since back in April of 2024.
McNulty wasn't the only one making solid contact as four players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Andrew Blunden, who scored a run while going 2-for-3. Blunden also put up a double, which was his first of the season.
Meanwhile, Keswick Christian got the win against Grace Christian on Thursday by a conclusive 8-1. The result was nothing new for the Crusaders, who have now won three contests by seven runs or more so far this season.
Like Gulf Coast HEAT, Keswick Christian also got a great game from a two-way player: Landon Wilson. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Wilson has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than two hits in three consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, scoring a run while going 1-for-3.
In other batting news, Dylan Williams and Evan Lightfield did most of the damage at the plate: Williams scored two runs and stole a base while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances, while Lightfield scored a run while going 2-for-3.
The victory made it two in a row for Keswick Christian and bumps their season record up to 5-2. A key ingredient in that success has been their performance when it comes to hits: they averaged an imposing 12 hits in those games compared to only 5.4 in the others. As for Gulf Coast HEAT, their defeat dropped their record down to 1-3.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Gulf Coast HEAT has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 9.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Keswick Christian struggles in that department as they've been averaging 9.7 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Gulf Coast HEAT suffered a grim 19-0 defeat to Keswick Christian in their previous matchup back in February of 2020. Can Gulf Coast HEAT avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
