The Globe Tigers will square off against the Apache Junction Prospectors at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. The timing isn't great for Globe: they have been struggling with ten straight losses at home dating back to last season, while Apache Junction has snatched up five consecutive wins on the road also dating back to last season.
Friday just wasn't the day for Globe's offense. They lost 15-0 to Seton Catholic on Friday. Having soared to a lofty 20 runs in the game before, the Tigers' shutout was a dramatic turnaround.
Meanwhile, Apache Junction was not the first on the board on Tuesday, but they got there more often. They walked away with a 7-2 win over Payson.
Dylan Hunsaker was a major factor no matter where he played. On the mound, he kept things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out eight over five innings pitched. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in five consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, scoring a run and stealing three bases while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances. That's the most stolen bases he has posted since back in April of 2024.
In other batting news, Rhett Ruiz was excellent, scoring a run and stealing three bases while getting on base in two of his four plate appearances. Those three stolen bases gave him a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Connor Trisoliere, who scored a run while going 3-for-4.
Apache Junction has been performing incredibly well recently as they've won eight of their last nine contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 8-5 record this season. The victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 10.3 runs over those games. As for Globe, their loss dropped their record down to 5-8.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Globe has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Apache Junction struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.9 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Globe came out on top in a nail-biter against Apache Junction when the teams last played back in February of 2018, sneaking past 5-3. Will the Tigers repeat their success, or do the Prospectors have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
