La Center is a perfect 10-0 against Columbia since April of 2021 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Tuesday. The Wildcats will be playing in front of their home fans against the Bruins at 4:30 p.m. Both teams are coming into the match red-hot, with La Center sitting on 11 straight victories and Columbia on three.
La Center came out on top against Castle Rock on Thursday thanks in part to the team's impressive four-run sixth inning. The Wildcats walked away with a 6-1 win over the Rockets.
Gunnar Schockelt
| 04/24/25 @ Castle Rock | 8 |
| 04/10/25 @ Stevenson | 6 |
| 04/17/25 vs Kalama | 4 |
| 03/27/25 @ King's Way Christian | 2 |
| 03/22/25 vs Graham-Kapowsin | 2 |
Gunnar Schockelt was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he struck out eight batters over six innings while giving up just one earned run off five hits (and not a single walk). Those eight strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was also big at the plate, getting on base in three of his five plate appearances with two RBI, one run, and one double.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Caden Taylor, who went 3-for-5 with two runs. That's the most hits he has posted since back in May of 2024. Another player making a difference was Justin Fuller, who went 2-for-5 with two RBI and one run.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Columbia). They were the clear victors by a 24-1 margin over Fort Vancouver on Friday. The team's explosion at the plate also rewarded the Bruins with their most commanding win of the season.
Like La Center, Columbia also got a great game from a two-way player: Kellen Olson. He tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. Olson has been consistent for a while: he hasn't given up more than two walks in ten consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-2 with two runs and one RBI. He is becoming a predictor of Columbia's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 3-9 when he doesn't).
In other batting news, Ben Borton was a standout: he got on base in all five of his plate appearances with three RBI, two runs, and one double. Columbia is undefeated when Borton posts two or more runs, but 3-9 otherwise. The team also got some help courtesy of Jaden Wang, who got on base in four of his six plate appearances with four runs, one triple, and one RBI.
Columbia was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .448. They are a perfect 4-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
La Center pushed their record up to 14-3 with the victory, which was their 12th straight on the road dating back to last season. Those road wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.8 runs on average over those games. As for Columbia, their victory bumped their record up to 6-9.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. La Center has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Columbia struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 7.3 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
La Center took their win against Columbia when the teams last played back in March of 2024 by a conclusive 11-1 score. Will the Wildcats repeat their success, or do the Bruins have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
