The Walter Johnson Wildcats will face off against the Wheaton Knights at 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday. Walter Johnson is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.6 runs per game this season.
On Tuesday, Walter Johnson didn't have quite enough to beat Whitman and fell 5-4.
Walter Johnson got a good showing from Spencer Gilcrest, who struck out six batters over 3.1 innings while giving up three earned (and two unearned) runs off only two hits (and only one walk). Gilcrest has been consistent: he hasn't given up more than two walks in seven consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Walter Johnson saw seven different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Jake Liffman, who went 1-for-4 with one triple, one run, and one RBI. Another was Jack Gilder, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with one run and one RBI.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Wheaton, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Friday. They skirted past Seneca Valley 7-6. Give some credit to the fans of both teams: the last four times they've met, the home team has come away the winner.
Jackson Franzel was excellent, going 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, one run, and one RBI. Those two stolen bases gave him a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Thomas Cleary, who went 3-for-4 with one triple and one RBI.
Wheaton kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Seneca Valley only managed four.
Walter Johnson's loss was their first in the region, dropping their region record down to 8-1 and their overall record down to 16-5. As for Wheaton, their win bumped their record up to 6-7.
Wednesday's game might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Walter Johnson has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .461. However, it's not like Wheaton struggles in that department as they've averaged .447. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Everything went Walter Johnson's way against Wheaton in their previous matchup back in April of 2019, as Walter Johnson made off with a 12-0 victory. Will the Wildcats repeat their success, or do the Knights have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
