The St. Bernard Saints will venture away from home to square off against the Woodstock Academy Centaurs at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Both come into the matchup bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
St. Bernard took a loss when they played away from home on Wednesday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Wednesday. Their pitchers stepped up to hand Lyman Memorial a 7-0 shutout. The Saints not only won on Wednesday, but they posted their biggest win since April 17th (when they won 14-0).
Desmond Powers
| 05/14/25 vs Lyman Memorial | 2 |
| 05/11/25 vs Stonington | 1 |
| 05/07/25 vs Windham | 1 |
| 05/03/25 vs Old Saybrook | 1 |
| 04/30/25 @ Waterford | 1 |
Desmond Powers made a splash while hitting and pitching. He didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit while striking out seven over five innings pitched. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up a single earned run in four consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with two RBI, one run, and one double. Those two RBI gave him a new career-high.
In other batting news, Anthony Demarco was excellent, going a perfect 4-for-4 with two RBI and one run. Those four hits gave him a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Johnny Lazarou, who went 1-for-3 with two runs and one stolen base.
Meanwhile, Woodstock Academy narrowly escaped with a victory as the team sidled past Fitch 4-3. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Centaurs.
Like St. Bernard, Woodstock Academy also got a great game from a two-way player: Brady Ericson. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out 11 over six innings pitched. Ericson has become a key player for Woodstock Academy: the team is 4-1 when he posts at least eight strikeouts, but 5-7 otherwise. Ericson was also big at the plate, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with one stolen base.
In other batting news, Tanner Graham and Hayden Maloney did most of the damage at the plate: Graham went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases and two runs, while Maloney went 2-for-4 with two RBI, one run, and one double. Graham is becoming a predictor of Woodstock Academy's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 4-2 (and 5-6 when he doesn't).
St. Bernard's record now sits at 5-11. As for Woodstock Academy, they now have a winning record of 9-8.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. St. Bernard has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Woodstock Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.2 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
St. Bernard might still be hurting after the 9-3 defeat they got from Woodstock Academy in their previous meeting back in May of 2024. Can the Saints avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
