Centennial is on a 14-game streak of home wins (dating back to last season), while Nogales is on a three-game streak of away wins: one of those streaks is about to end. The Coyotes will welcome the Apaches at 4:00 p.m. on Monday. Centennial is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.1 runs per game this season.
Centennial is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Saturday. They put the hurt on Willow Canyon with a sharp 18-1 win. The Coyotes might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won 14 contests by seven runs or more this season.
JT Price made a big impact while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out eight batters over four innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits (and only one walk). He has been consistent: he hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in eight consecutive appearances. He was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with one home run and two runs.
Xavier Escontrias
| 05/03/25 vs Willow Canyon | 6 |
| 03/27/25 vs Lake Havasu | 2 |
| 03/18/25 vs Arcadia | 2 |
| 03/06/25 vs Desert Edge | 2 |
| 04/15/25 @ Kellis | 1 |
In other batting news, Centennial got a massive performance out of Xavier Escontrias, who went 3-for-4 with one home run, six RBI, and two runs. Those six RBI gave Escontrias a new career-high. Bobby Villa III was another key player, going 3-for-4 with two triples, two stolen bases, and three runs.
Centennial always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .639. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Willow Canyon only posted an OBP of .278.
Meanwhile, it may have taken eight innings to finish the job, but Nogales ultimately got the result they hoped for on Saturday. They skirted past Desert View 2-1. Give some credit to the fans of both teams: the last four times they've met, the home team has come away the winner.
Like Centennial, Nogales also got a great game from a two-way player: Denzel Montijo. On the mound, he struck out nine batters over seven innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits. Montijo was also big at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one RBI.
Centennial is on a roll lately: they've won 15 of their last 16 matchups. That's provided a massive bump to their 19-8 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.1 runs over those games. As for Nogales, their win bumped their record up to 18-8-1.
Both Centennial and Nogales just can't seem to miss. The Coyotes have been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 8.7 hits per game. However, it's not like Nogales struggles in that department as they've been averaging only 5.6 hits. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Centennial was able to grind out a solid victory over Nogales when the teams last played back in February of 2015, winning 4-1. Do the Coyotes have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Apaches turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
