For the first time this season, Esparto will have a chance to prove themselves in a conference matchup. They will challenge the Delta Saints at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday.
Foothill hit Esparto with a seven-run sixth inning on Friday, which goes a long way in explaining the final result. The Spartans lost 14-2 to the Mustangs.
Esparto saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Gaven Stotts, who got on base in all three of his plate appearances with two stolen bases and one double. Another was Angel Aguilera, who got on base in all three of his plate appearances with one stolen base and one run.
Meanwhile, Delta had already won three in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 17.3 runs) and they went ahead and made it four on Friday. Everything went their way against the Wildfires as they made off with an 18-3 victory. The Saints might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won four games by ten runs or more this season.
Chase Parkinson made a big impact no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching five innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off one hit. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances. He was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with three runs, one triple, and two RBI.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Ty Hutson, who went 3-for-4 with two stolen bases, three runs, and four RBI. Delta is undefeated when Hutson posts two or more runs, but 1-3 otherwise. Jackson Gomes was another key player, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances with three stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI.
Delta always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .550. That was just more of the same: they've now posted an OBP of .500 or higher in four consecutive matchups.
Esparto suffered a grim 12-1 defeat to Delta in their previous meeting back in April of 2025. Can the Spartans avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
