The Maplewood Tigers will square off against the Mercyhurst Prep Lakers at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Maplewood had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 11-run drubbing they dealt Rocky Grove on Wednesday. The Tigers blew past the Orioles 12-1. The Tigers have beaten the Orioles the last six times they've met, but they better watch out: this was the closest the Orioles has come to flipping the script.
Landyn Reynolds made a splash while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only two hits over four innings pitched. He has been consistent: he hasn't given up more than two walks in seven consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two runs and one RBI. He is becoming a predictor of Maplewood's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 5-6 when he doesn't).
Elijah Hochstetler
| 05/14/25 vs Rocky Grove | 3 |
| 05/12/25 vs Cochranton | 2 |
| 05/07/25 @ Cambridge Springs | 2 |
| 05/10/25 vs Reynolds | 1 |
| 04/18/25 @ Jamestown | 1 |
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Elijah Hochstetler, who went 1-for-2 with one home run, two stolen bases, and three runs. Those three runs gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Chase Koelle, who went 2-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Maplewood always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .519. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Rocky Grove only posted an OBP of .200.
Meanwhile, Mercyhurst Prep hadn't done well against Hickory recently (they were 0-3 in their previous three matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Friday. The Lakers' pitchers stepped up to hand the Hornets a 12-0 shutout. The win was nothing new for the Lakers as they're now sitting on eight straight.
Bryce Schueth looked comfortable as he pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits.
On the hitting side, Tanner Ashton was a standout: he went 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBI. Alex Manendo was another key player, going 1-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
Mercyhurst Prep pushed their record up to 19-1 with the victory, which was their 11th straight at home dating back to last season. Those home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 0.9 runs on average over those games. As for Maplewood, their record is now 11-6.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Maplewood has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Mercyhurst Prep struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 9.4 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Maplewood couldn't quite get it done against Mercyhurst Prep in their previous matchup back in May of 2015 as they fell 5-1. Can the Tigers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
