The Red Mesa Redskins will head out to face off against the El Capitan Eagles at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. Both come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Red Mesa is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They came out on top against St. Michael by a score of 8-4 on Tuesday.
Tatum Redmustache was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out 14 batters over 6.2 innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off four hits (and only one walk). Redmustache was also big at the plate, scoring two runs and stealing a base while getting on base in three of his five plate appearances.
In other batting news, Stathom Sagg-Antonio and Kingston Dee did most of the damage at the plate: Sagg-Antonio scored two runs while going 3-for-4, while Dee scored a run while going 2-for-4.
Meanwhile, El Capitan came tearing into Friday's match with four straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 10.3 runs), and they left with even more momentum. They blew past the Fighting Scouts 10-4. The Eagles might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won seven contests by six runs or more this season.
Like Red Mesa, El Capitan also got a great game from a two-way player: Aryck Hammon. Throwing, Hammon didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit while striking out eight over four innings pitched. Meanwhile, Kendall Hammon struck out seven batters over three innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off four hits (and only one walk). He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances. At the plate, Hammon scored a run and stole a base while getting on base in all five of his plate appearances, while Kendall scored three runs and stole four bases while going 4-for-4. Kendall is becoming a predictor of El Capitan's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 8-1 (and 2-4 when he doesn't).
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Brayden Hammon, who scored two runs and stole two bases while going 2-for-4. That's the most hits he has posted since back in February. The team also got some help courtesy of Jairus Hammon, who scored a run and stole two bases while going 1-for-4.
El Capitan kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their hit total in three consecutive games.
El Capitan's record is now 10-5. As for Red Mesa, their victory (their first of the season) made their record 1-7.
Saturday's match will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Red Mesa hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .315. However, it's not like El Capitan struggles in that department as they've averaged .429. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance. Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
