Baseball Recap: Independence Wins Going Away Against Highland

Falcons

Margin (Wins)

04/21/25 @ Highland	15
03/07/25 vs Legacy Christian Academy	13
04/14/25 vs Lindsay	11
04/09/25 @ Ridgeview	11
04/23/25 vs Highland	10

Independence came out on top against Highland on Wednesday thanks in part to the team's impressive eight-run fourth inning. The Falcons put the hurt on the Scots with a sharp 12-2 victory. The Falcons might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won 11 matchups by six runs or more this season.

Brandon Gutierrez was a major factor no matter where he played. He pitched four innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off six hits. Gutierrez was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with two RBI, one run, and one double.

In other batting news, Aldo Salcedo and Jace Gillenwater did most of the damage at the plate: Salcedo went a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs, one stolen base, and one double, while Gillenwater got on base in all four of his plate appearances with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run. Salcedo is becoming a predictor of Independence's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 3-8 when he doesn't). Another player making a difference was David Baralt Portillo, who went 1-for-3 with two stolen bases, one run, and one RBI.

Independence kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 14 hits. They are a perfect 8-0 when they post 11 or more hits.

Independence has been performing well recently as they've won five of their last six contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 13-8 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.2 runs on average over those games. As for Highland, they have traveled a rocky road recently, having lost four of their last five games. That's put a noticeable dent in their 13-8 record this season.

Independence will have a chance to go back-to-back against Highland: the pair's next game is a rematch scheduled at 4:00 p.m. on Friday.