Mountainside and Sunset are an even 3-3 against one another since May of 2019, but likely not for long. The Mavericks will head out on the road to challenge the Apollos at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Mountainside's pitching crew has only allowed 3.5 runs per game this season, so Sunset's hitters will have their work cut out for them.
Mountainside took a loss when they played away from home on Monday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Wednesday. They came out on top against Beaverton by a score of 4-1. The Mavericks haven't had any issues with the Beavers recently, as the game was their eighth consecutive victory against them.
Jojo Appling
| 04/23/25 vs Beaverton | 7 |
| 04/21/25 @ Jesuit | 5 |
| 04/18/25 vs Westview | 9 |
Jojo Appling tossed a big game, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only two hits while striking out seven over five innings pitched. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in three consecutive appearances.
At the plate, the team relied heavily on Ainsley Arbow, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs and one RBI. That's the most runs she has posted since back in March.
Meanwhile, Sunset faced Jesuit in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Wednesday. The Apollos never let the Crusaders get on the board and left with a 3-0 win. Winning may never get old, but the Apollos sure are getting used to it with their fourth in a row.
The result came thanks to Sydney Arnold's shutout, as she gave up just four hits.
On the hitting side, Sunset saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Jordan Pe?a, who went 1-for-4 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.
Mountainside pushed their record up to 9-7 with the victory, which was their sixth straight at home. Those home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.0 run on average over those games. As for Sunset, their record now sits at 15-2.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Mountainside has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.1 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Sunset struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.1 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Mountainside couldn't quite get it done against Sunset in their previous matchup back in April of 2024 as they fell 6-3. Can the Mavericks avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
