The Hesperia Christian Patriots are taking a road trip to take on the University Prep Jaguars at 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday. Hesperia Christian has given up an average of 8.6 runs per game this season, but Tuesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Hesperia Christian might be feeling deja-vu: they lost 18-1 to Riverside Prep, which was the same score (and result) they got the week prior. The loss continues a trend for the Patriots in their meetings with the Silver Knights: they've now lost four in a row.
Nathaniel Renner
| 03/12/25 @ California Lutheran | 3 |
| 02/20/25 vs Academy of Careers & Exploration | 3 |
| 04/03/25 @ Riverside Prep | 2 |
| 03/21/25 vs Desert Christian | 1 |
| 03/19/25 vs Victor Valley | 1 |
| + 4 more games |
Nathaniel Renner made the most of his time at bat despite the final result and scored a run and stole two bases while going 1-for-2. He is becoming a predictor of Hesperia Christian's success: when he posts at least two stolen bases the team is 2-1 (and 5-7 when he doesn't).
Meanwhile, University Prep hadn't done well against Excelsior Charter recently (they were 1-8 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Thursday. The Jaguars were the clear victors by a 16-4 margin over the Eagles. The Jaguars might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won six matchups by ten runs or more this season.
Randy Pereira made a big impact no matter where he played. He pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Pereira was also solid in the batter's box, scoring three runs while going 1-for-4. Those three runs gave him a new career-high.
In other batting news, Baxter Andersen and Ricky Gonzalez did most of the damage at the plate: Andersen went 4-for-5 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs, while Gonzalez went 2-for-5 with one home run, five RBI, and three runs. That's the most RBI Andersen has posted since back in February. Connor Byrom also deserves some recognition as he got his first hit of the season.
University Prep lost a few balls and finished the game with two home runs. That's the most home runs they've managed all season.
University Prep's win ended a three-game drought on the road and puts them at 8-4. As for Hesperia Christian, they now have a losing record of 7-8.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Tuesday as neither team is afraid to steal. Hesperia Christian has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.3 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like University Prep struggles in that department as they've been averaging 4.6 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Hesperia Christian took their victory against University Prep when the teams last played back in March of 2024 by a conclusive 11-1 score. Will the Patriots repeat their success, or do the Jaguars have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
