Baseball Game Preview: Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy vs. Lucerne Valley Mustangs

For the second straight game, Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy will face off against Lucerne Valley. Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy will challenge Lucerne Valley at 3:15 p.m. on Friday. The teams are on pretty different trajectories at the moment (Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy has four straight victories, Lucerne Valley has seven straight defeats), but none of that matters once you're on the field.

Last Tuesday, Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy made easy work of Lucerne Valley and carried off a 22-3 win. The result was nothing new for Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy, who have now won five matches by six runs or more so far this season.

Kevyn Espinoza and Geovanni Aparixo were a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, Espinoza tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Meanwhile, Aparixo pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. The dominant performance also gave him a new career-high in strikeouts (five). At bat, Espinoza went a perfect 4-for-4 with one home run, six RBI, and three runs, while Aparixo scored three runs while getting on base in four of his five plate appearances. Espinoza is becoming a predictor of Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 4-1 (and 3-6 when he doesn't).

Ryelon Brandt

Hits (Career)

04/15/25 vs Lucerne Valley	4
04/08/25 @ Silver Valley	2
04/04/25 vs Academy for Academic Excellence	2
03/28/25 @ Victor Valley Christian	2
03/18/25 vs Big Bear	2

In other batting news, Ryelon Brandt was a standout: he scored three runs and stole three bases while going 4-for-4. Those four hits gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Matthew Avila, who scored three runs and stole a base while going 4-for-4.

Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .700. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.

Lucerne Valley's loss dropped their record down to 2-8. As for Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy, the victory got them back to even at 7-7.