The Academic Magnet Raptors will look to defend their home field on Tuesday against the Philip Simmons Iron Horses at 6:00 p.m. Both come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Academic Magnet lost a heartbreaker the last time they played First Baptist School, but it's fair to say they got their revenge given the result of Thursday's match. Academic Magnet was the clear victor by a 10-2 margin over First Baptist School on Thursday. Academic Magnet's victory was all the more impressive since the Hurricanes were averaging only 3.6 runs allowed on the season.
Heckman Tyler was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he pitched three innings while giving up just two earned runs off two hits. Tyler was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base. That stolen base was his first of the season.
In other pitching news, Harrison Anson looked comfortable as he tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He is becoming a predictor of Academic Magnet's success: when he allows at most two hits the team is 2-1 (and 1-3 when he doesn't).
George Owen
| 03/20/25 @ First Baptist School | 2 |
| 03/18/25 vs Woodland | 2 |
| 03/13/25 vs Porter-Gaud | 2 |
| 03/14/25 @ Andrews | 1 |
| 03/11/25 vs Andrews | 1 |
Back at the plate, George Owen was excellent, scoring two runs and stealing three bases while getting on base in two of his four plate appearances. Academic Magnet is 2-1 when Owen posts two or more runs, but 1-3 otherwise. Another player making a difference was Ivey Cole, who scored two runs while going 2-for-4.
Meanwhile, Philip Simmons posted their closest win since March 27, 2024 on Thursday. They had just enough and edged out May River 2-1.
Nolan Clifford spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: he surrendered only one earned run on three hits and racked up ten Ks. That's the fewest hits he has allowed since back in April of 2024.
On the hitting side, Philip Simmons' victory was truly a team effort as five different players contributed at least one hit. One of them was Charlie Helms, who went 1-for-3 with one stolen base.
Philip Simmons is on a roll lately: they've won four of their last five contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 4-5 record this season. The wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 7.8 runs over those games. Academic Magnet's victory bumped their record up to 3-4.
Academic Magnet came up short against Philip Simmons when the teams last played back in March of 2024, falling 9-6. Can Academic Magnet avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
