For the first time this season, Colorado Academy will have a chance to prove themselves in a conference matchup. They will welcome The Academy Wildcats at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The timing is sure in Colorado Academy's favor as the team sits on five straight wins at home (dating back to last season) while The Academy has been banged up by five consecutive losses on the road also dating back to last season.
Colorado Academy is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. Everything went their way against St. Helens on Wednesday as Colorado Academy made off with an 8-2 win. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the team's high-flying offense, the game also marked the team's biggest victory of the season.
Liam Driver made a big impact no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. What's more, he gave up only zero walks, the fewest he's had since back in May of 2024. He was also big at the plate, scoring a run while going 2-for-3. That's the most hits he has posted since back in April of 2024.
In other batting news, Jordan Reiter and Riley Summers did most of the damage at the plate: Reiter scored three runs and stole three bases while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances, while Summers scored three runs and stole a base while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances. That's the most stolen bases Reiter has posted since back in May of 2024.
Meanwhile, The Academy beat Northridge 12-8 on Saturday.
Like Colorado Academy, The Academy also got a great game from a two-way player: Carter Koepsell. He struck out eight batters over four innings while giving up just two earned (and four unearned) runs off six hits (and only one walk). Koepsell was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs while going 2-for-3. Those runs were his first of the season.
In other batting news, The Academy got a massive performance out of Brennan Staudinger, who scored two runs and stole two bases while getting on base in all five of his plate appearances. Those stolen bases marked the first that Staudinger snagged this season. Another player making a difference was Kameron Forsyth, who scored a run and stole two bases while going 3-for-5.
The Academy always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .535. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Colorado Academy's win bumped their record up to 4-0. As for The Academy, their victory (their first of the season) made their record 1-5.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Colorado Academy has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like The Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 7.2 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Everything went Colorado Academy's way against The Academy in their previous matchup back in May of 2024, as Colorado Academy made off with an 11-1 win. Does Colorado Academy have another victory up their sleeve, or will The Academy turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.