Veritas Prep is 1-6 against Horizon Honors since April of 2015 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Wednesday. It'll be a Battle of the Birds when Veritas Prep Falcons duke it out with Horizon Honors Eagles at 6:30 p.m. Veritas Prep's pitching crew has only allowed 3.5 runs per game this season, so Horizon Honors' hitters will have their work cut out for them.
Veritas Prep is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They were the clear victors by a 13-3 margin over Fountain Hills on Monday. Considering Veritas Prep's hitters had been struggling lately, the high-scoring outing was a much-needed turnaround.
Cade Huseth made a splash no matter where he played. On the mound, he struck out 11 batters over six innings while giving up three earned runs off five hits (and only one walk). He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, scoring two runs while going 3-for-4. He also brought in an RBI, marking his first of the season.
In other batting news, Logan Cortes was incredible, going 2-for-3 with one home run, six RBI, and one double. He also put up a run, which was his first of the season. Another player making a difference was Baylor Arnold, who went 1-for-5 with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base.
Veritas Prep was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .387. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Fountain Hills only posted a batting average of .250.
Meanwhile, Horizon Honors posted their closest win since March 1, 2024 on Monday. They narrowly escaped with a victory as the team sidled past Chandler Prep 7-5. The Eagles haven't had any issues with the Titans recently, as the game was their seventh consecutive win against them.
Aidan Andrews was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out seven batters over four innings while giving up three earned runs off six hits. That's the most strikeouts he has posted since back in April of 2024. He was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 1-for-3.
Andrews wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Logan Walker, who went 1-for-3 with one triple, one stolen base, and one run.
Horizon Honors' record is now 6-2-1. As for Veritas Prep, the victory got them back to even at 3-3.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Wednesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Veritas Prep has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Horizon Honors struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.2 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Veritas Prep might still be hurting after the 11-1 loss they got from Horizon Honors when the teams last played back in March of 2020. Can Veritas Prep avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
