The GV Christian Guardians will venture away from home to take on the Needles Mustangs at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday. GV Christian has given up an average of 13.5 runs per game this season, but Wednesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
GV Christian's last matchup with Laughlin could've gone either way, but unfortunately the same can't be said for the pair's match last Tuesday. The Guardians lost 22-6 to the Cougars. The Guardians haven't had much luck with the Cougars recently, as the team has come up short the last five times they've met.
Ethan Cootware
| 04/02/25 vs Beatty | 3 |
| 04/15/25 vs Laughlin | 2 |
| 04/02/25 vs Beatty | 2 |
| 03/04/25 @ Sandy Valley | 2 |
| 03/17/25 @ Lincoln County | 1 |
| + 3 more games |
GV Christian saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Ethan Cootware, who went 2-for-3 with three stolen bases, two runs, and one double. Cootware is becoming a predictor of the Guardians' success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 3-1 (and 1-12 when he doesn't).
Meanwhile, Needles waltzed into their game on Tuesday with two straight wins... but they left with three. Their pitcher stepped up to hand the Vikings an 11-0 shutout. The result was nothing new for the Mustangs, who have now won 11 contests by ten runs or more so far this season.
Tyler Wilson was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run over four innings pitched. What's more, he posted three strikeouts, the most he's had since back in March. He was also big at the plate, getting on base in all three of his plate appearances with one stolen base and one RBI.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Robert Tapia, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI. He is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as he's now snagged at least one in each of the last three games he's played. Holden Jones was another key player, earning two runs and two stolen bases.
Needles always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .625. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Holtville only posted an OBP of .333.
Needles pushed their record up to 15-8-1 with the win, which was their third straight at home. The home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.3 runs on average over those games. As for GV Christian, their defeat dropped their record down to 4-13.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Wednesday as neither team is afraid to steal. GV Christian has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 4.9 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Needles struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 4 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
GV Christian might still be hurting after the 15-0 loss they got from Needles in their previous meeting back in April of 2024. Can the Guardians avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
