The Merritt Island Christian Cougars will face off against the Master's Academy Patriots at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Merritt Island Christian is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7 runs per game this season.
Merritt Island Christian took a loss when they played away from home on Monday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Friday. They walked away with a 14-9 win over Eastland Christian. The high-scoring effort was just what Merritt Island Christian needed considering they were shutout in their previous contest.
Maddux Martinson and Anthony Alessandrini made a splash no matter where they played. On the mound, Martinson tossed 2.1 innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Meanwhile, Alessandrini struck out nine batters over 4.2 innings while giving up four earned (and five unearned) runs off three hits. At bat, Martinson went 2-for-4 with two runs, a triple, and an RBI, while Alessandrini scored two runs while getting on base in three of his five plate appearances.
In other batting news, Bode Handwork was incredible, scoring a run and stealing four bases while going 3-for-4. Another player making a difference was Logan Storevik, who scored a run while going 2-for-3.
Meanwhile, Master's Academy put the finishing touches on their tenth blowout victory of the season on Friday. Everything went their way against Astronaut as Master's Academy made off with a 9-0 victory. The win made it back-to-back victories for Master's Academy.
Like Merritt Island Christian, Master's Academy also got a great game from a two-way player: Nate Downey. He didn't allow a single earned run and only one hit while striking out 13 over seven innings pitched. Downey has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive pitching appearances. Downey was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run while going 2-for-4.
In other batting news, Master's Academy let Peter Grispo and Sam Wade loose on the outfield. Grispo scored a run while going 4-for-4, while Wade went 3-for-4 with three RBI, a stolen base, and a double. CJ Eiswerth was another key contributor, scoring two runs and stealing a base.
Merritt Island Christian pushed their record up to 11-9 with that win, which was their third straight at home. As for Master's Academy, they have been performing well recently as they've won seven of their last nine matchups, which provided a nice bump to their 15-10 record this season.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Merritt Island Christian has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.3 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Master's Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.3. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Merritt Island Christian might still be hurting after the 13-3 loss they got from Master's Academy when the teams last played back in May of 2023. Can Merritt Island Christian 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
