The Gila Bend Gila Monsters will challenge the Wickenburg Christian Academy Lion on Tuesday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty run totals in their previous games.
Gila Bend is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Saturday. They walked away with an 11-7 win over A+ Charter School. That's two games straight that the Gila Monsters have won by exactly four runs.
Crash Davis
| 04/24/25 vs Tri-City Christian Academy | 4 |
| 04/29/25 @ Holy Family Academy | 3 |
| 04/10/25 @ Heritage Academy | 3 |
| 03/21/25 vs Tohono O'Odham | 3 |
| 05/03/25 vs A+ Charter School | 2 |
| + 4 more games |
Crash Davis was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit while striking out seven over 5.2 innings pitched. Davis was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two stolen bases, three runs, and one double. He has become a key player for Gila Bend: the team is undefeated when he posts at least two stolen bases, but 2-5 otherwise.
In other batting news, Zadrian Enos was incredible, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances with two stolen bases and two runs. Judum Sam was another key player, going 2-for-4 with two doubles, one run, and one RBI.
Gila Bend kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least 11 hits in three consecutive matchups.
Meanwhile, Wickenburg Christian Academy waltzed into their contest on Saturday with five straight wins... but they left with six. They never let the Heroes get on the board and left with a 15-0 victory. Considering the Lion have won nine games by more than five runs this season, Saturday's blowout was nothing new.
Like Gila Bend, Wickenburg Christian Academy also got a great game from a two-way player: Bam Hogue. On the mound, Hogue tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Meanwhile, Evan Gustin tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Hogue has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in four consecutive appearances. At bat, Hogue went a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs, two doubles, and one triple, while Gustin went 1-for-4 with one triple, one run, and one RBI. Those two doubles gave Hogue a new career-high.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Xavier Moralez, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with three RBI, one triple, and one double. That's the most RBI he has posted since back in March. The team also got some help courtesy of Matt Sheehan, who went 2-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
Gila Bend's record is now 9-5. As for Wickenburg Christian Academy, their record now sits at 11-2-1.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Gila Bend has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Wickenburg Christian Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 7.6 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Gila Bend suffered a grim 9-3 defeat to Wickenburg Christian Academy when the teams last played back in April. Can the Gila Monsters avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
