Baseball Game Preview: Apache Junction Prospectors vs. ALA - Ironwood Warriors

The Apache Junction Prospectors are taking a road trip to face off against the ALA - Ironwood Warriors at 3:45 p.m. on Monday. Apache Junction has given up an average of 6.6 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Apache Junction managed to slip by Florence the last time these teams faced off, but didn't have those same answers this time around. The Prospectors lost 14-3 to the Gophers on Tuesday. The Prospectors just can't catch a break and have now endured four defeats in a row.

Bourgade Catholic hit ALA - Ironwood with a four-run first inning on Thursday, which goes a long way in explaining the final result. The Warriors fell just short of the Golden Eagles by a score of 7-6.

Ethan Garcia was huge while hitting and pitching even without the win. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing 3.2 innings while giving up just one earned run off three hits. He is becoming a predictor of ALA - Ironwood's success: when he allows at most two earned runs the team is 2-1 (and 2-13 when he doesn't). Garcia was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two stolen bases and one RBI.

In other batting news, Danny Russell made the most of his time at bat despite the final result and got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two stolen bases and two runs. Those stolen bases marked the first that he has snagged this season. Gio Martinez was another key player, going 1-for-3 with two RBI and one run.

ALA - Ironwood has traveled a rocky road recently, having lost five of their last six contests. That's put a noticeable dent in their 4-14 record this season. As for Apache Junction, their record is now 9-9.

Apache Junction skirted past ALA - Ironwood 14-13 in their previous meeting back in April of 2021. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Prospectors since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.