Baseball Game Preview: Apollo Hawks vs. Desert Ridge Jaguars

The Apollo Hawks will head out to challenge the Desert Ridge Jaguars at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Apollo is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.6 runs per game this season.

Apollo had to skate by with only a two-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the eight-run drubbing they dealt Boulder Creek on Wednesday. The Hawks were the clear victors by a 15-7 margin over the Jaguars. The result was nothing new for the Hawks, who have now won 13 contests by six runs or more so far this season.

Carlos Parra

Runs Batted In (Career)

04/23/25 @ Boulder Creek	3
04/21/25 vs Cesar Chavez	2
03/03/25 @ Browne	2
04/08/25 vs Tolleson	1
03/06/25 vs Dobson	1

Roberto Quinones and Carlos Parra did most of the damage at the plate: Quinones went 2-for-3 with one home run, three RBI, and one double, while Parra went 2-for-5 with one home run, three runs, and three RBI. Those three RBI gave Parra a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Alex Covarrubias, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs.

They weren't the only ones working in the home run department: Apollo lost a few balls and finished the game with two home runs. That's the most home runs they've managed all season.

Meanwhile, Desert Ridge was not able to break out of their rough patch on Thursday as the team picked up their third straight defeat. They came up short against Queen Creek, falling 14-6.

Kane Dobson stepped up to lead a balanced group of hitters: he went a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs. Nick Snider also deserves some recognition as he launched his first home run of the season.

Apollo has been performing well recently as they've won four of their last five matchups. That's provided a nice bump to their 18-7 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.0 runs on average over those games. As for Desert Ridge, their loss dropped their record down to 8-17.

Apollo's speedy runners might be the difference in Friday's game. The Hawks have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 2.7 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Desert Ridge, though, as they've been averaging only 0.5 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Apollo continue to outrun the ball? Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more baseball content.