Ocean View Christian hasn't had much luck against Mountain Empire recently, but that could start to change on Monday. The Patriots will take on the Redhawks at 3:30 p.m. Ocean View Christian has given up an average of 7.7 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Ocean View Christian couldn't beat High Tech CV on Thursday even though they stacked four runs on them in the first inning. The Patriots lost 16-7 to the Bruins.
Sean Neff was cooking despite his team's loss, going 1-for-2 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run. The team also got some help courtesy of Parker Broersma, who went 3-for-4 with two runs and one stolen base.
Meanwhile, Mountain Empire had already won six in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 10.2 runs) and they went ahead and made it seven on Thursday. Everything went their way against the Legionnaires as they made off with a 27-2 victory. The result was nothing new for the Redhawks, who have now won seven matches by seven runs or more so far this season.
Luis Cardoso made a splash while hitting and pitching. He struck out eight batters over five innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off four hits. Those eight strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in four of his five plate appearances with four stolen bases, four runs, and one RBI. He is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as he's now snagged at least one in each of the last three games he's played.
In other batting news, Mountain Empire got a massive performance out of Cameron Leon, who got on base in all five of his plate appearances with five stolen bases, four runs, and two RBI. With that strong performance, Leon is now averaging an impressive 2.3 runs per game. Another player making a difference was Jesse Arnold, who got on base in all five of his plate appearances with four stolen bases, four runs, and one triple.
Mountain Empire always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .698. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Mountain Empire's record now sits at 11-4. As for Ocean View Christian, their loss dropped their record down to 7-4.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Ocean View Christian has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Mountain Empire struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.5 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Ocean View Christian skirted past Mountain Empire 7-6 when the teams last played back in May of 2024. Do the Patriots have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Redhawks turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
