The Boulder Creek Jaguars will face off against the Apollo Hawks at 3:45 p.m. on Friday. Boulder Creek has a tough task ahead: they'll enter the match with five straight losses, while Apollo will come in with four straight victories.
Boulder Creek is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They took a 12-9 hit to the loss column at the hands of Westwood on Thursday.
Colt Eikleberry and Karsten Cornell did some serious damage despite the final result: Eikleberry scored two runs and stole a base while going 1-for-2, while Cornell went 2-for-3 with three RBI, one triple, and one run. What's more, Eikleberry posted two RBI, the most he's had since back in February of 2024. Ren Wallace was another key player, scoring two runs while going 1-for-3.
Even though they lost, Boulder Creek always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .515. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, Apollo won against Browne on Monday with 11 runs and they decided to stick to that run total again on Thursday. Apollo had just enough and edged out Dobson 11-10.
Rey Garcia made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he struck out six batters over three innings while giving up just one earned (and four unearned) runs off four hits (and only one walk). What's more, he gave up only one walk, the fewest he's had since back in April of 2024. He was even better at the plate, scoring two runs and stealing Two bases. while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
In other batting news, Diego Ramos and Carlos Parra did most of the damage at the plate: Ramos scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-3, while Parra scored a run and stole Three bases. while getting on base in three of his five plate appearances. Ramos also put up a double, which was his first of the season.
Apollo pushed their record up to 4-2 with the win, which was their third straight at home. The wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 4.0 runs on average over those games. As for Boulder Creek, their defeat dropped their record down to 1-5.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Boulder Creek has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Apollo struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Boulder Creek suffered a grim 11-2 defeat to Apollo in their previous matchup back in March of 2015. Can Boulder Creek avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
