A feisty cat fight will be fought as the Panthers duke it out with the Lions at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.
Somerset Academy is headed into the matchup having just suffered their closest defeat since April 2, 2024 on Wednesday. They fell just short of Mater Lakes Academy by a score of 5-3.
Somerset Academy saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Alan Sanchez, who scored a run while going 1-for-3.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Mater Academy Charter). Everything went their way against Archbishop McCarthy on Thursday as Mater Academy Charter made off with an 11-5 victory. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Lions.
Alfrin Rosario made a splash no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out seven batters over four innings while giving up three earned (and two unearned) runs off four hits. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run and stealing a base while getting on base in two of his three plate appearances.
In other pitching news, Gabriel Granadillo looked comfortable as he tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one hit any time he's pitched this season.
Back at the plate, Dylan Fernandez was incredible, scoring two runs while going 3-for-4. He also put up an RBI, which was his first of the season. Eiker Noriega was another key player, scoring three runs and stealing two bases while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
Mater Academy Charter always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .545. The last time their OBP was this high was back in April of 2024.
Mater Academy Charter pushed their record up to 3-5 with the win, which was their seventh straight at home dating back to last season. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 7.6 runs over those games. As for Somerset Academy, their loss dropped their record down to 4-2.
Somerset Academy beat Mater Academy Charter 6-1 when the teams last played back in March of 2023. Does Somerset Academy have another victory up their sleeve, or will Mater Academy Charter turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
