First Coast is 2-8 against Sandalwood since April of 2017 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Thursday. The Buccaneers are taking a road trip to take on the Saints at 7:00 p.m. First Coast will be looking to extend their current four-game winning streak.
On Wednesday, First Coast made easy work of Bell County and carried off a 15-5 victory.
Kris Thorne was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 1-for-3.
Rob Chatman
| 04/02/25 vs Bell County | 3 |
| 03/20/25 vs Baldwin | 2 |
| 02/22/25 @ Liberty County | 2 |
| 02/12/25 vs Beachside | 2 |
| 04/01/25 @ Paxon School For Advanced Studies | 1 |
In other batting news, Rob Chatman was incredible, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with one home run, three RBI, and two runs. Those three RBI gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Connor Howlett, who scored two runs and stole a base while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
Meanwhile, Sandalwood earned a 6-2 win over Englewood on Tuesday.
Like First Coast, Sandalwood also got a great game from a two-way player: Trent Baskins. He tossed 3.2 innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Baskins was also big at the plate, scoring a run and stealing two bases while going 3-for-4.
In other pitching news, Bane Barker looked comfortable as he pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits.
Baskins wasn't the only one making solid contact as six players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Parker Shuman, who scored a run while going 2-for-3.
Sandalwood was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .393. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Englewood only posted a batting average of .130.
Sandalwood is on a roll lately: they've won nine of their last 11 matchups. That's provided a nice bump to their 12-6 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.4 runs on average over those games. As for First Coast, they pushed their record up to 12-7 with the win, which was their third straight at home.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. First Coast has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.3 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Sandalwood struggles in that department as they've been averaging 6.9 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
First Coast skirted past Sandalwood 2-1 in their previous meeting back in March of 2024. Do the Buccaneers have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Saints turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
