The Titusville Rockets will face off against the Mercyhurst Prep Lakers at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. Both teams are still undefeated (Titusville has nine wins , while Mercyhurst Prep has four).
Titusville is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They blew past Franklin 19-3 on Friday. While the Rockets didn't have the best season last year (they finished 8-13), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past.
Hunter Obert was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. Obert was even better at the plate, going 4-for-5 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs. That's the most hits he has posted since back in May of 2024.
In other batting news, Ian McDonald was incredible, scoring four runs and stealing two bases while going 3-for-6. That's the most stolen bases he has posted since back in May of 2024.
Titusville kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 18 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, Mercyhurst Prep never let their opponents score on Thursday. Everything went their way against Seneca as they made off with a 13-0 victory. Fans of the Lakers have seen this all before: every one of the games they've played this season has ended in a blowout of 6+ runs.
Like Titusville, Mercyhurst Prep also got a great game from a two-way player: Josh Majczyk. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Majczyk was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run and stealing a base.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Rocco Almonte, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with four RBI, two runs, and one double. That double was his first of the season. Alex Manendo was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing two bases while going 1-for-2.
Mercyhurst Prep pushed their record up to 4-0 with the win, which was their fifth straight at home dating back to last season. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 10.4 runs over those games. As for Titusville, their win bumped their record up to 9-0.
Saturday's match will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Titusville hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .397. However, it's not like Mercyhurst Prep struggles in that department as they've averaged .358. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Titusville might still be hurting after the 8-1 loss they got from Mercyhurst Prep in their previous matchup back in May of 2024. Can the Rockets avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
