The Jurupa Hills Spartans will venture away from home to challenge the Carter Lions at 3:45 p.m. on Friday. Jurupa Hills is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.8 runs per game this season.
While Jurupa Hills didn't have the best season last year (they finished 9-18), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They came out on top against Colton on Wednesday by a score of 8-1 (the very same score they lost by in their prior game). For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest win the Spartans have posted against the Yellowjackets since March 19, 2016.
Alejandro Preciado made a big impact while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he struck out ten batters over six innings while giving up just one earned run off three hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't tossed less than seven strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with one triple and two RBI. That's the most RBI he has posted since back in February.
In other pitching news, Alfredo Hernandez looked comfortable as he pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in four consecutive appearances.
Aaden Lopez
| 04/02/25 vs Colton | 4 |
| 03/08/25 vs Rim of the World | 3 |
| 02/18/25 @ Palm Springs | 3 |
| 02/17/25 vs Fontana | 3 |
| 03/04/25 vs Rancho Verde | 2 |
Back at the plate, the team relied heavily on Aaden Lopez, who scored four runs and stole four bases while going 4-for-4. Those four hits gave him a new career-high. Matthew Toscano was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 1-for-3.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Carter). They were the clear victors by a 16-8 margin over San Gorgonio on Wednesday. Considering the Lions' hitters had been struggling lately, the high-scoring outing was a much-needed turnaround.
Fernando Rodriguez was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowed only two hits over four innings pitched. Rodriguez was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs and stealing a base. He also brought in an RBI, marking his first of the season.
In other pitching news, Andrew Roman looked comfortable as he tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. That hit marked the first that he allowed this season.
Back at the plate, Angel Acevedo was incredible, scoring two runs and stealing two bases while getting on base in all five of his plate appearances. He is becoming a predictor of Carter's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 2-1 (and 1-4 when he doesn't). The team also got some help courtesy of Alex Saravia, who scored three runs and stole a base while going 2-for-4.
Carter always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .548. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Jurupa Hills is on a roll lately: they've won eight of their last nine matchups. That's provided a nice bump to their 10-2 record this season. The victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.4 runs on average over those games. As for Carter, the win made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 3-5.
Jurupa Hills suffered a grim 10-3 defeat to Carter in their previous matchup back in March of 2024. Can the Spartans avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
