Baseball Preview: Maeser Prep Academy Lions vs. Draper APA Eagles
The Maeser Prep Academy Lions will challenge the Draper APA Eagles at 4:00 p.m. on Monday. The two teams are strolling into their matches after big wins in their previous games.
On Friday, Maeser Prep Academy made easy work of Merit Preparatory Academy and carried off a 14-4 win. The Lions might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won four games by ten runs or more this season.
Trace Turner made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run and only one hit while striking out nine over four innings pitched. That's the most strikeouts he has posted since back in August of 2023. He was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with three RBI and a triple.
In other batting news, Erik Knecht was incredible, scoring a run and stealing two bases while going 2-for-3. Another player making a difference was Porter Bruce, who scored two runs and stole two bases while going 1-for-4.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the score, Maeser Prep Academy didn't let batters stay on the plate for long and finished the game with 11 strikeouts. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now tossed at least 11 strikeouts in three consecutive matchups.
Meanwhile, Draper APA waltzed into their contest on Friday with two straight wins... but they left with three. They put the hurt on the Eagles with a sharp 16-1 victory. The result was nothing new for Draper APA, who have now won four matches by 12 runs or more so far this season.
Like Maeser Prep Academy, Draper APA also got a great game from a two-way player: Braedan Dye. He struck out seven batters over 2.2 innings while giving up just one earned run off four hits (and not a single walk). Dye was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-2 with two stolen bases, two runs, and a triple. He has been hot recently, having posted at least one stolen base the last five times he's played.
In other pitching news, Kason Crafts looked comfortable as he pitched 1.1 innings while giving up no earned runs or hits.
Back at the plate, Draper APA got a massive performance out of Oliver Wagner, who went 2-for-2 with a home run, three runs, and three RBI. Wagner is also crushing it when it comes to stolen bases: he's stolen at least one every time he's taken the field this season. Another player making a difference was Ziek Van Dijk, who went 2-for-2 with a home run, three RBI, and two runs.
Maeser Prep Academy's win ended a six-game drought at home dating back to last season and bumped them up to 4-9. As for Draper APA, they now have a winning record of 5-4-1.
Monday's game might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Maeser Prep Academy has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of 0. However, it's not like Draper APA struggles in that department as they've averaged 0. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Maeser Prep Academy took their victory against Draper APA when the teams last played back in September of 2023 by a conclusive 21-2. The rematch might be a little tougher for Maeser Prep Academy since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
