Neumann is 8-2 against Evangelical Christian since April of 2018 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Friday. The Celtics will square off against the Sentinels at 7:00 p.m. Neumann is coming into the game hot, having won their last six games.
Neumann is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Saturday. They blew past Canterbury 11-1. Neumann's win was all the more impressive since the Crusaders were averaging only 3.24 runs allowed on the season.
Neumann got a great performance from MJ Hough as he struck out eight batters over five innings while giving up just one earned run off four hits (and not a single walk). Hough has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than one walk in three consecutive appearances.
Cole Travers
| 04/25/26 vs Canterbury | 3 |
| 04/08/26 vs Monsignor Pace | 2 |
| 03/24/26 vs Dwyer | 2 |
| 03/17/26 vs George Jenkins | 2 |
| 04/16/26 vs The Village School of Naples | 1 |
On the hitting side, Cole Travers was incredible, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances with one home run, three runs, and two RBI. Those three runs gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Gus Fusco, who went 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI.
Neumann was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .476. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .300 or higher in seven consecutive matchups.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Evangelical Christian, who bounced back after a loss on the road last Friday. Their pitcher stepped up to hand Southwest Florida Christian a 12-0 shutout on Saturday. The Sentinels might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won 14 contests by six runs or more this season.
Jackson Perkins made a big impact while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out seven over five innings pitched. Perkins was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with four RBI.
In other batting news, Evangelical Christian let Ryder Lutz and Anthony Cabrera run wild. Lutz went a perfect 2-for-2 with three runs, one stolen base, and two RBI, while Cabrera went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, three runs, and one RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of Gavin Teeter, who went 1-for-3 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run.
Neumann's record is now 16-11. As for Evangelical Christian, their record now sits at 24-4.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Neumann has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Evangelical Christian struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 7.7 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Neumann came out on top in a nail-biter against Evangelical Christian in their previous meeting back in March of 2024, sneaking past 3-1. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Celtics since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
