Baseball Game Preview: Temple Christian Pioneers vs. Ridgemont Golden Gophers

Temple Christian is 0-9 against Ridgemont since April of 2015 but things could change on Friday. The Pioneers will look to defend their home field against the Golden Gophers at 5:00 p.m. Temple Christian has given up an average of 13.4 runs per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Temple Christian is headed into Friday's game looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their third straight game on Thursday. They lost 14-4 to Waynesfield-Goshen. That's two games in a row now that the Pioneers have lost by exactly ten runs.

Isaiah Kiser made the most of his time at bat despite the final result and got on base in two of his three plate appearances with two stolen bases and one run. Hewitt Wright was another key player, getting on base in all three of his plate appearances with two stolen bases.

Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Ridgemont, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Wednesday. They never let Crestline get on the board and left with a 5-0 win on Thursday.

Ethan Moore was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only two hits while striking out seven over four innings pitched. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up a single earned run in four consecutive appearances. He was also stellar in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI. He has become a key player for Ridgemont: the team is 2-1 when he posts at least three hits, but 5-10 otherwise.

Moore wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Xavier Stuck, who went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases and one RBI. Ridgemont is 3-1 when Stuck posts two or more stolen bases, but 4-10 otherwise. Another was Maverick Dawson, who got on base in two of his three plate appearances with two stolen bases and one run.

Temple Christian's loss dropped their record down to 1-8. As for Ridgemont, their victory ended a four-game drought at home and bumped them up to 7-11.

Temple Christian suffered a grim 11-1 defeat to Ridgemont when the teams last played back in May of 2024. Will the Pioneers have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more baseball content.