The Pacheco Panthers will head out to challenge the Lathrop Spartans at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, these teams will really light up the scoreboard.
Last Thursday, Pacheco made easy work of Livingston and carried off a 10-1 win. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Panthers.
Mario Rivera was a major factor no matter where he played. On the mound, he struck out 13 batters over seven innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits (and only one walk). He is becoming a predictor of Pacheco's success: when he allows at most two hits the team is 2-1 (and 5-11 when he doesn't). Rivera was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-5 with two RBI and one double.
Thomas Price
| 04/17/25 @ Livingston | 3 |
| 03/08/24 @ Sonora | 2 |
| 04/15/25 vs Livingston | 1 |
| 03/20/25 vs Johansen | 1 |
| 03/11/25 vs Central Valley | 1 |
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Thomas Price, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs, one double, and one RBI. Those three runs gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Aidan Pikas, who went 2-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double.
Pacheco kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Livingston only managed two hits.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Lathrop, who bounced back after a loss on the road last Thursday. They had just enough and edged out Delta Charter 10-9 on Thursday. The victory was some much needed relief for the Spartans as it spelled an end to their seven-game losing streak.
Rueben Lopez tossed a big game, striking out nine batters over five innings while giving up just one earned (and four unearned) runs off four hits (and not a single walk).
At the plate, Angel Sararan and Vaugh Sanchez did most of the damage at the plate: Sararan got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two runs and one RBI, while Sanchez got on base in two of his four plate appearances with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of Ayden Louie, who went 1-for-4 with two RBI and one run.
Pacheco's record is now 7-12. As for Lathrop, their record now sits at 6-15.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Pacheco has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Lathrop struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Everything went Pacheco's way against Lathrop when the teams last played back in March of 2024, as Pacheco made off with a 12-2 win. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Panthers since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
