The Metro Tech Knights will challenge the La Joya Community Fighting Lobos at 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday. Both come into the contest bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Metro Tech not only won on Tuesday, but they posted their biggest win since March 24, 2025 (when they won 18-0). They put the hurt on North with a sharp 19-7 victory. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Knights.
Miguel Pacheco was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out 11 batters over five innings while giving up three earned (and one unearned) runs off only one hit. Pacheco was also big at the plate, getting on base in four of his six plate appearances with two stolen bases, two RBI, and one run. That's the most RBI he has posted since back in March of 2025.
Jacob Quinonez
| 03/17/26 @ North | 3 |
| 03/04/26 vs Washington | 2 |
| 04/28/25 @ Carl Hayden Community | 2 |
| 04/22/25 vs Central | 2 |
| 03/25/25 @ Fairfax | 2 |
In other batting news, Kristopher Soberanis and Jacob Quinonez did most of the damage at the plate: Soberanis went 3-for-5 with three stolen bases, four runs, and one RBI, while Quinonez got on base in five of his six plate appearances with three RBI, two doubles, and one run. The dominant performance also gave Quinonez a new career-high in hits (three). Another player making a difference was Aram Naranjo, who went 2-for-4 with four RBI and two runs.
Metro Tech always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .642. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as North only posted an OBP of .364.
Meanwhile, La Joya Community posted their closest win since April 10, 2025 on Monday. They had just enough and edged out Maryvale 7-6.
Like Metro Tech, La Joya Community also got a great game from a two-way player: Chris Mata. He didn't allow a single earned run while striking out ten over 4.1 innings pitched. Mata has been consistent recently: he hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with one stolen base and one RBI. That stolen base was his first of the season.
In other batting news, Aidan Escobedo was excellent, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs, one double, and one RBI. That double marked the first that he has hit this season. Isaac Bejarano was another key player, going 2-for-4 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.
Metro Tech now has a winning record of 2-1. As for La Joya Community, their victory bumped their record up to 6-2-1.
Wednesday's matchup might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Metro Tech has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .443. However, it's not like La Joya Community struggles in that department as they've averaged .506. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Metro Tech suffered a grim 13-2 defeat to La Joya Community when the teams last played back in March of 2025. Will the Knights have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other baseball content.
