University School has won 17 straight games at home (dating back to last season), while Cardinal Mooney has won 17 straight on the road, but those streaks won't matter much on Thursday. The Preppers will host the Cardinals at 5:00 p.m. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
University School barely beat Orange the last time the pair played, but that sure wasn't the case this time around. The Preppers blew past the Lions 9-3 on Wednesday.
Cameron Ryan looked comfortable as he tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit.
On the hitting side, Deacon Nelson was a standout: he went 2-for-3 with one home run, four RBI, and one double. That's the most RBI he has posted over his last 11 contests. Another player making a difference was Aaron Moss, who scored two runs while going 3-for-4.
While Cardinal Mooney didn't have the best season last year (they finished 9-15), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They were the clear victors by an 11-2 margin over Columbiana on Wednesday. The Cardinals haven't had any issues with the Clippers recently, as the game was their fifth consecutive victory against them.
Ryan Reese made a big impact while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, scoring a run and stealing three bases while getting on base in three of his five plate appearances.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Trent Litman, who scored three runs and stole a base while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances. He also hit a double, marking his first of the season. Ben Oddis was another key player, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 2-for-2.
University School's win bumped their record up to 11-2. As for Cardinal Mooney, their victory bumped their record up to 7-3.
Thursday's game might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. University School has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .444. However, it's not like Cardinal Mooney struggles in that department as they've averaged .433. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance. Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
