The Gilbert Classical Academy Spartans will venture away from home to face off against the Lincoln Prep Lightning at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Lincoln Prep took a loss in their last contest and will be looking to turn the tables on Gilbert Classical Academy, who comes in off a win.
Having struggled with three losses in a row, Gilbert Classical Academy turned things around against Miami on Friday. They put the hurt on the Vandals with a sharp 13-4 win. The game marked the Spartans' most dominant victory of the season so far.
Ryan Roco
| 03/28/25 vs Miami | 5 |
| 03/24/25 vs Santa Cruz Valley | 4 |
| 02/23/24 @ St. John Paul II Catholic | 4 |
| 03/06/25 @ Highland Prep West | 2 |
| 03/29/24 @ San Carlos | 2 |
Ryan Roco made a big impact while hitting and pitching. He struck out seven batters over five innings while giving up just one earned (and three unearned) runs off five hits. He is becoming a predictor of Gilbert Classical Academy's success: when he allows at most one earned run the team is 2-1 (and 1-3-1 when he doesn't). Roco was also stellar in the batter's box, going a perfect 4-for-4 with one home run, five RBI, and two runs. Those five RBI gave him a new career-high.
In other batting news, Hobey Hartman was incredible, scoring four runs while going 3-for-3. He also hit two doubles, marking his first of the season. Max Fioresi was another key player, going 2-for-4 with three RBI, one triple, and one run.
Gilbert Classical Academy always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .677. They are 2-1 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
Meanwhile, Lincoln Prep came up short against Santa Cruz Valley on Thursday, falling 18-8.
Like Gilbert Classical Academy, Lincoln Prep also got a great game from a two-way player: Jackson Platt. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over 4.1 innings while giving up three earned (and two unearned) runs off five hits. What's more, Platt gave up only two walks, the fewest he's had since back in May of 2024. He was even better at the plate, scoring three runs and stealing five bases while going 2-for-2.
Platt wasn't the only one making solid contact as three players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Finn Dilley, who scored three runs and stole a base while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
Gilbert Classical Academy's record is now 3-4-1. As for Lincoln Prep, they dropped their record down to 3-6-1 with the defeat, which was their fifth straight at home dating back to last season.
Gilbert Classical Academy couldn't quite get it done against Lincoln Prep in their previous meeting back in April of 2024 as they fell 6-3. Can Gilbert Classical Academy avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
