The Lancaster Catholic Crusaders will challenge the Trinity Shamrocks at 4:15 p.m. on Friday. Both come into the contest bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Lancaster Catholic got their first taste of in-conference action on Thursday and they started things off strong. They blew past Lancaster Mennonite 9-1. The result was nothing new for the Crusaders, who have now won three matches by six runs or more so far this season.
Gabe Garcia
| 04/10/25 @ Lancaster Mennonite | 6 |
| 03/20/24 vs Trinity | 4 |
| 05/03/24 @ Columbia | 3 |
| 04/26/24 vs Annville-Cleona | 3 |
| 04/19/24 @ Pequea Valley | 3 |
Gabe Garcia was a major factor no matter where he played. He didn't allow a single earned run while striking out six over four innings pitched. Those six strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was also big at the plate, scoring a run while getting on base in four of his five plate appearances.
In other batting news, Drew Walker and Zach Zuber did most of the damage at the plate: Walker got on base in three of his five plate appearances with one triple, two RBI, and one run, while Zuber scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-5. Luis Velez was another key player, going 2-for-4 with one RBI.
Lancaster Catholic kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Lancaster Mennonite only managed seven hits.
Meanwhile, Trinity waltzed into their game last Thursday with three straight wins... but they left with four. They had just enough and edged out the Blue Raiders 6-4. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Shamrocks have posted against the Blue Raiders since May 12, 2021.
Trinity saw seven different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Preston Groff, who went 2-for-3 with two RBI. Nick Abner also deserves some recognition as he brought in his first RBI of the season.
Trinity's victory bumped their record up to 6-1. As for Lancaster Catholic, their win bumped their record up to 4-5.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Lancaster Catholic has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.4 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Trinity struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.7 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Lancaster Catholic couldn't quite finish off Trinity in their previous meeting back in March of 2024 and fell 11-9. Can the Crusaders avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
