A feisty cat fight will be fought as University Prep Jaguars duke it out with Granite Hills Cougars at 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday. University Prep is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.7 runs per game this season.
The home team had won the previous four meetings between University Prep and Academy of Careers & Exploration, and University Prep kept the tradition alive. University Prep was the clear victors by a 12-0 margin over Academy of Careers & Exploration on Thursday. Considering the Jaguars have won three contests by more than 11 runs this season, Thursday's blowout was nothing new.
Ricky Gonzalez was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he struck out six batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit (and not a single walk). Furthermore, he didn't allow a single walk, the first time he has blanked an opponent since back in March of 2024. He was also big at the plate, scoring three runs and stealing Two bases. while going 2-for-2. That's the most runs he has posted since back in April of 2024.
Angel Herrera
| 02/18/25 @ Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy | 3 |
| 03/06/25 vs Academy of Careers & Exploration | 2 |
| 02/27/25 @ Academy for Academic Excellence | 2 |
| 02/20/25 vs Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy | 2 |
| 03/04/25 @ Canyon Springs | 1 |
| + 1 more games |
In other batting news, University Prep let Angel Herrera and Adriel Salazar run wild. Herrera scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-3, while Salazar scored two runs and stole a base while going 1-for-1. Herrera is becoming a predictor of University Prep's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 1-2 when he doesn't). Danny Anumada also deserves some recognition as he scored his first run of the season.
University Prep kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. They are a perfect 4-0 when they post 11 or more hits.
Meanwhile, after soaring to 13 runs the game before, Granite Hills was a bit more limited in their match on Monday. They fell just short of Apple Valley by a score of 3-1. The Cougars haven't had much luck with the Sun Devils recently, as the team has come up short the last four times they've met.
Granite Hills saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Kaleb Kutz, who scored a run while going 1-for-3.
Granite Hills' loss dropped their record down to 6-2. As for University Prep, their record now sits at 5-2.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. University Prep has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Granite Hills struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.6 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
University Prep was able to grind out a solid win over Granite Hills in their previous matchup back in March of 2024, winning 12-8. The rematch might be a little tougher for University Prep since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
