Springfield hasn't had much luck against Strath Haven recently, but that could start to change on Monday. The Cougars will challenge the Panthers at 3:45 p.m. Both come into the matchup bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Springfield came out on top against Penncrest on Thursday thanks in part to the team's impressive five-run fifth inning. The Cougars took their game against the Lions 7-3. That four run margin sets a new team best for the Cougars this season.
TJ Valletti made a big impact no matter where he played. He pitched three innings while giving up just one earned run off one hit. Valletti was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with two RBI, one run, and one double. Those two RBI gave him a new career-high.
In other pitching news, Connor Manuel looked comfortable as he pitched four innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off two hits.
Nick Corse
| 05/01/25 @ Penncrest | 3 |
| 04/08/25 @ Conestoga | 3 |
| 04/30/25 vs Marple Newtown | 2 |
| 04/23/25 @ Lower Merion | 1 |
| 04/22/25 vs Ridley | 1 |
| + 1 more games |
Back at the plate, the team relied heavily on Nick Corse, who went 2-for-3 with three stolen bases and two runs. Springfield is 2-1 when Corse posts two or more stolen bases, but 2-10 otherwise. Shane McCaffery also deserves some recognition as he scored his first run of the season.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Strath Haven, who bounced back after a loss on the road last Wednesday. They came out on top against Ridley on Monday by a score of 9-1 (the very same score they lost by in their prior game). The Panthers' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Like Springfield, Strath Haven also got a great game from a two-way player: Caden Shuster. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Shuster has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than two hits in three consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one RBI.
In other batting news, Alex Selverian was incredible, going 2-for-3 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs. Ben Milligan was another key player, going 1-for-3 with two stolen bases and two runs.
Strath Haven was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .414. That's the best batting average they've posted all season.
Strath Haven's win was their sixth straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 6-5. The home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.0 run on average over those games. As for Springfield, their win ended a six-game drought on the road and puts them at 4-11.
Springfield might still be hurting after the 6-0 loss they got from Strath Haven when the teams last played back in March. Can the Cougars avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
