Hillcrest is a perfect 6-0 against Sunset since May of 2022 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Tuesday. Hillcrest will host Sunset at 5:00 p.m. Hillcrest is coming into the matchup hot, having won their last four games.
While Hillcrest's victory against Adamson wasn't quite the blowout it was the last time the pair played, they still came out on top. Hillcrest came out on top in a nail-biter against Adamson on Friday, sneaking past 8-7. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Panthers have posted since February 28th.
Aidan Martinez
| 03/21/25 @ Adamson | 10 |
| 03/01/25 vs Greenhill | 7 |
| 03/14/25 @ White | 6 |
| 03/07/25 @ Lake Highlands | 5 |
| 05/11/24 vs Walnut Grove | 4 |
Aidan Martinez was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he struck out ten batters over 5.2 innings while giving up just one earned (and five unearned) runs off three hits. Those ten strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run while going 3-for-4.
Martinez wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Jean Pierre Paternina, who scored a run and stole a base while going 2-for-3. Yoarlin Rodriguez was another, scoring two runs while going 2-for-3.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Sunset). Everything went their way against Jefferson on Friday as Sunset made off with an 18-2 victory. With that win, the Bison brought their scoring average up to 6.5 runs per game.
Like Hillcrest, Sunset also got a great game from a two-way player: Angel Echavarria. He struck out six batters over 3.1 innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off two hits. That's the fewest earned runs Echavarria has allowed since back in February. He was also big at the plate, scoring a run while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Edwin Chavez, who went 2-for-3 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs. Another player making a difference was Josue Martinez, who scored three runs while going 2-for-3.
Sunset was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .550. They are a perfect 8-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Sunset is on a roll lately: they've won three of their last four games. That's provided a nice bump to their 13-8 record this season. The victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.8 runs over those games. Hillcrest's win bumped their record up to 13-5-1.
Tuesday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Hillcrest hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .351. However, it's not like Sunset struggles in that department as they've averaged .331. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Hillcrest took their victory against Sunset in their previous meeting back in April of 2024 by a conclusive 9-2. Will Hillcrest repeat their success, or does Sunset has a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
