Baseball Game Preview: Grace Christian Patriots vs. Riverview Academy of Math and Science Barracudas

The Grace Christian Patriots will challenge the Riverview Academy of Math and Science Barracudas at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Grace Christian is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.5 runs per game this season.

On Friday, Grace Christian didn't have quite enough to beat Foundation Christian Academy and fell 6-5. The defeat continues a trend for the Patriots in their meetings with the Panthers: they've now lost three in a row.

Bryce Purkey

Runs (Career)

03/07/25 @ Foundation Christian Academy	3
02/21/25 vs Hernando Christian Academy	2
02/29/24 vs Canterbury	2
02/27/24 @ Foundation Christian Academy	2
02/28/25 @ Oasis Christian	1

Bryce Purkey was huge no matter where he played even without the win. On the mound, he struck out seven batters over 6.1 innings while giving up three earned (and three unearned) runs off 11 hits (and not a single walk). The dominant performance also gave him a new career-low in walks (zero). He was also solid in the batter's box, scoring three runs and stealing a base while going 2-for-4. Those three runs gave him a new career-high.

Purkey wasn't the only one making solid contact as three players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Benjamin Fanelli, who went 1-for-3 with one stolen base. Fanelli is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as he's now snagged at least one in each of the last three games he's played.

Meanwhile, Riverview Academy of Math and Science was not able to break out of their rough patch on Tuesday as the team picked up their fourth straight loss. They lost 17-8 to Sarasota Military Academy. One positive for the Barracudas, at least, is that this was the most points they've scored all season.

Keven Castillo stepped up to lead a balanced group of hitters: he went 2-for-3 with four RBI, one triple, and one stolen base. The team also got some help courtesy of Shawn Swearingen, who scored two runs and stole Four bases. while going 1-for-2.

Riverview Academy of Math and Science's defeat dropped their record down to 0-4. As for Grace Christian, their loss dropped their record down to 4-2.

The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Tuesday as neither team is afraid to steal. Grace Christian has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 5.8 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Riverview Academy of Math and Science struggles in that department as they've been averaging 3.8 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more. Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other baseball content.