The Independence Patriots will head out to face off against the Coconino Panthers at 4:00 p.m. on Monday. Independence has given up an average of 10.2 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Independence fought the good fight in their extra-innings match against Sierra Linda on Thursday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Bulldogs by a score of 14-13.
Tyler Slivnik and Noel Calderon stepped up to the plate in a big way. Slivnik went 4-for-5 with four RBI, two doubles, and one stolen base, while Calderon got on base in four of his five plate appearances with two stolen bases and three runs. Those doubles marked the first that Slivnik has hit this season. Another player making a difference was Sebastian Sandoval, who went 2-for-5 with two stolen bases, two RBI, and one run.
Meanwhile, after only one run in their last contest, Coconino made sure to put some runs up on the board against Mingus on Friday. The Panthers narrowly escaped with a victory as the team sidled past the Marauders 15-14. The win was some much needed relief for the Panthers as it spelled an end to their three-game losing streak.
Corbin Derr was a standout: he got on base in four of his five plate appearances with two doubles, two RBI, and one run. That's the most doubles he has posted since back in March. The team also got some help courtesy of Jake Hanley, who got on base in four of his five plate appearances with three runs and one RBI.
Coconino was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .375. They are a perfect 7-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Independence's loss was their fourth straight on the road, which dropped their record down to 4-12-1. As for Coconino, their victory bumped their record up to 9-15-1.
Independence suffered a grim 10-1 defeat to Coconino in their previous matchup back in February of 2017. Can the Patriots avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
