The Luther Prep Phoenix will face off against the Deerfield Demons at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. Luther Prep has given up an average of 6.9 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Things were looking good for Luther Prep after they put the first run on the board on Saturday, but unfortunately for them things went downhill from there. They came up short against Living Word Lutheran, falling 13-1. The defeat continues a trend for the Phoenix in their meetings with the Timberwolves: they've now lost four in a row.
Meanwhile, Deerfield entered their tilt with Williams Bay on Thursday with two consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with three. They never let the Bulldogs get on the board and left with a 17-0 victory. The Demons might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won four matchups by six runs or more this season.
Landon Brattlie made a splash no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, keeping things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out 14 over five innings pitched. He is becoming a predictor of Deerfield's success: when he posts at least ten strikeouts the team is undefeated (and 3-5 when he doesn't). Brattlie was also stellar in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with three runs, three RBI, and one triple. That's the most RBI he has posted since back in April of 2024.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Declan Pohlman, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with four RBI, two runs, and one triple. Those four RBI gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Stephen Bagley, who went 2-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Deerfield was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .519. They are a perfect 3-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Deerfield now has a winning record of 6-5. As for Luther Prep, their loss dropped their record down to 3-7.
Luther Prep suffered a grim 14-4 defeat to Deerfield in their previous meeting back in April of 2023. Can the Phoenix avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
