The East Valley Athletes for Christ Eagles are taking a road trip to square off against the Mission Heights Prep Phantoms at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday. East Valley Athletes for Christ's pitching crew has only allowed 2.7 runs per game this season, so Mission Heights Prep's hitters will have their work cut out for them.
East Valley Athletes for Christ easily dispatched Imagine Prep Coolidge on Thursday, but unfortunately both the margin and the ultimate result were a different story in this one. The Eagles fell just short of Heritage Academy Gateway by a score of 7-5 on Monday. The Eagles' loss signaled the end of their four-game winning streak.
Antonio Barranca
| 04/14/25 @ Heritage Academy Gateway | 3 |
| 04/10/25 vs Imagine Prep Coolidge | 1 |
| 04/09/25 @ Harvest Prep Academy | 4 |
| 04/07/25 vs Heritage Academy Gateway | 2 |
| 04/02/25 vs Canyon State Academy | 1 |
| + 2 more games |
Antonio Barranca put in work no matter where he played. On the mound, he struck out seven batters over five innings while giving up three earned (and four unearned) runs off eight hits (and only one walk). Barranca was even better at the plate, scoring three runs and stealing three bases while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances. He has been hot, having posted at least one stolen base the last seven times he's played.
In other batting news, Louis Livacari made the most of his time at bat despite the final result and scored a run and stole four bases.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Mission Heights Prep, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Wednesday. They blew past Imagine Prep 13-3 on Friday. The Phantoms might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won six matchups by nine runs or more this season.
Like East Valley Athletes for Christ, Mission Heights Prep also got a great game from a two-way player: Kamden Muffler. He struck out ten batters over five innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off three hits (and only one walk). Those ten strikeouts gave Muffler a new career-high. He was also solid in the batter's box, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one double and one RBI.
In other batting news, Cameron Mata was a standout: he scored two runs and stole three bases while going 3-for-4. Another player making a difference was Jacob Kemp, who went 3-for-4 with one triple, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Mission Heights Prep hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Imagine Prep struck out ten times.
Mission Heights Prep has been performing well recently as they've won four of their last five contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 7-3-1 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.6 runs on average over those games. As for East Valley Athletes for Christ, their defeat dropped their record down to 7-2.
Tuesday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. East Valley Athletes for Christ hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .385. However, it's not like Mission Heights Prep struggles in that department as they've averaged .474. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
East Valley Athletes for Christ suffered a grim 6-0 defeat to Mission Heights Prep when the teams last played back in April of 2024. Can the Eagles avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
