Osbourn had lost five straight at home, but on Thursday they dropped their record down to 1-19 to make it six. They lost 16-6 to the Manassas Park Cougars. The Eagles were given a dose of their own medicine in this game as the Cougars apparently hadn't forgotten their defeat the last time these teams played back in March of 2019.
Lenell Evans was huge no matter where he played even without the win. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out nine batters over 4.2 innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off one hit. That's the fewest hits he has allowed since back in April of 2024. He was even better at the plate, going 2-for-3 with one home run, two runs, and one stolen base.
Evans wasn't the only one making solid contact as seven players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Jaxson Burke, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two stolen bases and one run. Those stolen bases were Burke's first of the season.
As for Manassas Park, they moved to 3-10 with that win, which also ended their eight-game losing streak. Their offense finally found a way to get into gear: the high-octane performance was a 180-degree turn from their last eight games.
Like Osbourn, Manassas Park also got a great game from a two-way player: Minh Huynh. He struck out eight batters over six innings while giving up four earned (and two unearned) runs off eight hits (and only one walk). Huynh also tossed a walk, which is notable because Manassas Park is 3-1 when he allows at most two walks, but 0-9 otherwise. Huynh was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
In other batting news, Carlos Castillo Aviles was incredible, getting on base in four of his five plate appearances with two stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI. The dominant performance also gave him a new career-high in hits (two). Another player making a difference was Xavier Tickle, who went 3-for-5 with three RBI, two runs, and one stolen base.
Osbourn and Manassas Park could both be facing uphill battles in their next games considering their disadvantage in the MaxPreps Virginia Rankings. Osbourn will take on Freedom at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday with a big rank disadvantage (333 vs. 107). Meanwhile, Manassas Park (ranked 321st) will meet Fauquier (ranked 89th) at 6:00 p.m. on Friday.
