Heide Trask is on a three-game streak of home losses, and Northside - Jacksonville a seven-game streak of away losses dating back to last season. However, someone's due for a change in luck on Tuesday. The Heide Trask Titans will be playing at home against the Northside - Jacksonville Monarchs at 6:30 p.m. After the two teams made easy work of their previous opponents, one won't be so lucky on Tuesday.
Heide Trask is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They blew past Spring Creek 14-1 on Monday. The victory was some much needed relief for the Titans as it spelled an end to their five-game losing streak.
Tanner Sparkman tossed a big game, striking out seven batters over five innings while giving up just one earned run off one hit. Those seven strikeouts gave him a new career-high.
Brantley Lunsford
| 03/24/25 @ Spring Creek | 3 |
| 03/14/25 vs West Columbus | 1 |
| 03/06/25 @ Kinston | 1 |
| 03/04/25 @ Northside - Jacksonville | 1 |
| 02/28/25 @ Wallace-Rose Hill | 1 |
At the plate, Heide Trask got a massive performance out of Brantley Lunsford, who scored three runs and stole a base while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances. Those three runs gave Lunsford a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Alex Monroe, who scored two runs and stole two bases while going 3-for-5.
Heide Trask always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .541. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, Northside - Jacksonville hadn't done well against Jacksonville recently (they were 0-9 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Thursday. Northside - Jacksonville was the clear victor by a 9-2 margin over Jacksonville. The Monarchs not only won on Thursday, but they posted their biggest win since March 1, 2024.
Jariel Santos made a splash while hitting and pitching. He struck out six batters over five innings while giving up just two earned runs off three hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in four consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, going a perfect 2-for-2 with three RBI.
In other batting news, Mason Appleman was incredible, scoring two runs and stealing two bases while going 4-for-4. Another player making a difference was Peyton Mayhew, who scored two runs while going 2-for-4.
Heide Trask's win bumped their record up to 2-8. As for Northside - Jacksonville, their victory was their first in the conference, bumping their conference record up to 1-2 and their overall record up to 2-5.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Heide Trask has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.1 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Northside - Jacksonville struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 9.4 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Heide Trask came up short against Northside - Jacksonville when the teams last played on March 4th, falling 9-5. Will Heide Trask have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
