Crusaders
| 03/03/25 vs Oasis Christian | 9 |
| 02/27/25 vs Admiral Farragut | 5 |
| 02/14/25 vs Sarasota Christian | 7 |
| 02/13/25 vs Cambridge Christian | 6 |
Canterbury will challenge Keswick Christian at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. Canterbury is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.8 runs per game this season.
Canterbury is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They blew past Oasis Christian 9-1 on Monday. The win continues a trend for the Crusaders in their matchups with the Lions: they've now won three in a row.
Braden Adorno was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he struck out seven batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits (and only one walk). Adorno was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring two runs and stealing Three bases. while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances. He also brought in an RBI, marking his first of the season.
In other batting news, Brooks Merrill was incredible, going a perfect 4-for-4 with four stolen bases, four RBI, and two doubles. Those RBI were his first of the season. Tyler Woodward was another key player, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 1-for-2.
Canterbury always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .545. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
The home team had won the previous three meetings between Keswick Christian and Sarasota Christian, and Keswick Christian kept the tradition alive. Keswick Christian fell just short of Sarasota Christian by a score of 7-5 on Tuesday. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest defeat the Crusaders have suffered since April 9, 2024.
Jackson Sullivan was huge no matter where he played even without the win. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out ten batters over 5.1 innings while giving up three earned (and one unearned) runs off four hits. Those ten strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was also big at the plate, scoring three runs while going 3-for-4. He has become a key player for Keswick Christian: the team is 4-1 when he posts at least two runs, but 2-3 otherwise.
In other batting news, Evan Lightfield was cooking despite his team's loss, going 1-for-3 with two RBI and one double.
The victory got Canterbury back to even at 2-2. As for Keswick Christian, their loss dropped their record down to 6-4.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Canterbury has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 10 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Keswick Christian struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Canterbury came out on top in a nail-biter against Keswick Christian in their previous matchup back in April of 2024, sneaking past 2-1. Will Canterbury repeat their success, or does Keswick Christian have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
