Columbus is 8-2 against Palmetto since April of 2015 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Tuesday. The Columbus Explorers will host the Palmetto Panthers at 6:00 p.m. Columbus is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.6 runs per game this season.
Columbus is probably headed into the matchup with a chip on their shoulder considering JC Bermudez Doral just ended the team's eight-game winning streak on Monday. They fell just short of the Thunder by a score of 4-2. Having soared to a lofty ten runs in the game before, the Explorers couldn't push the score so high this time.
Mathew Rios
| 03/10/25 vs JC Bermudez Doral | 9 |
| 03/03/25 vs Westminster Christian | 8 |
| 02/27/25 @ Southwest | 4 |
| 02/20/25 @ Coral Gables | 5 |
| 02/13/25 vs Mater Academy Charter | 5 |
| + 3 more games |
Mathew Rios was a force to be reckoned with on the mound despite the final result: he struck out nine batters over 6.2 innings while giving up four earned runs off five hits. That's the most strikeouts he has posted since back in April of 2024.
At the plate, Columbus saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Rene Ramirez, who went 2-for-3 with one double. Aquiles Arzeno also deserves some recognition as he hit his first double of the season.
Meanwhile, after low-scoring totals in their previous eight contests, Palmetto brought some dynamite into their most recent game. They put the hurt on Dr. Krop with a sharp 13-6 victory on Thursday. The Panthers' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Maxim Sotolongo tossed a big game, pitching five innings while giving up just two earned (and four unearned) runs off eight hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one walk in three consecutive appearances.
On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Sebastian Hernandez, who scored three runs and stole Two bases. while going 2-for-3. Jack Gordon was another key player, scoring a run and stealing a base while getting on base in two of his four plate appearances.
Palmetto always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .556. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Palmetto's win bumped their record up to 3-7. As for Columbus, their defeat dropped their record down to 9-2.
Palmetto's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Columbus hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .361. It's a different story for Palmetto, though, as they've only averaged .220. Will they be able to contain Columbus' hitters?
Everything went Columbus' way against Palmetto in their previous matchup back in February, as Columbus made off with a 10-0 victory. Does Columbus have another victory up their sleeve, or will Palmetto turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
