The Sandia Prep Sundevils will challenge the East Mountain Timberwolves at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. Sandia Prep is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.9 runs per game this season.
Sandia Prep had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 11-run drubbing they dealt Bosque on Thursday. The Sundevils blew past the Bobcats 21-10. The Sundevils' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Sandia Prep got a massive performance out of Matteo Herrera, who scored three runs and stole three bases while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances. That's the most runs Herrera has posted since back in April of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Logan Lemons, who scored three runs and stole two bases while going 1-for-3.
Sandia Prep was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .438. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Bosque only posted a batting average of .143.
Meanwhile, East Mountain entered their tilt with New Mexico Military Institute on Tuesday with nine consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with ten. They came within a single run of losing the streak, but they secured a 3-2 W against the Colts. Give some credit to the fans of both teams: the last four times they've met, the home team has come away the winner.
Cole Darnell spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: he surrendered just two earned runs on five hits and racked up 14 Ks. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't tossed less than seven strikeouts in four consecutive appearances.
At the plate, East Mountain's win was truly a team effort as five different players contributed at least one hit. One of them was Rylen Radosevich, who scored a run while going 1-for-3.
East Mountain pushed their record up to 12-5 with the victory, which was their 13th straight at home dating back to last season. Those home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 10.9 runs over those games. As for Sandia Prep, they have been performing well recently as they've won four of their last five matches. That's provided a massive bump to their 6-6 record this season.
Saturday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Sandia Prep has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .458. However, it's not like East Mountain struggles in that department as they've averaged .460. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Sandia Prep couldn't quite get it done against East Mountain in their previous meeting back in April of 2024 as they fell 4-0. Can the Sundevils avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
