The Payton College Prep Grizzlies will challenge the Lincoln Park Lions at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Payton College Prep is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.7 runs per game this season.
Payton College Prep had to skate by with only a two-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the ten-run drubbing they dealt ITW David Speer Academy on Tuesday. The Grizzlies blew past the Pride 11-1. The Grizzlies might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won nine contests by six runs or more this season.
Anthony Arena
| 05/03/25 @ Latin | 6 |
| 04/16/25 @ Lane Tech | 6 |
| 04/26/25 @ Chicago Hope Academy | 5 |
| 03/21/25 vs Stevenson | 5 |
| 04/10/25 @ Northside | 4 |
| + 4 more games |
Anthony Arena was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because Payton College Prep is 2-1 when he allows at most one earned run, but 10-14 otherwise. Arena was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with two RBI and one run. Those two RBI gave him a new career-high.
In other batting news, Nick Linares was excellent, going 3-for-4 with two runs, one double, and one RBI. He is becoming a predictor of Payton College Prep's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 4-1 (and 8-14 when he doesn't). Derek Patton was another key player, going 1-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one double.
Payton College Prep was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .400. They are a perfect 9-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Meanwhile, Lincoln Park was not able to break out of their rough patch on Tuesday as the team picked up their fourth straight defeat. They took a 4-0 hit to the loss column at the hands of Lane Tech. The match marked the first time this season in which the Lions were not able to get on the board.
Payton College Prep has been performing well recently as they've won three of their last four games. That's provided a nice bump to their 12-15 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.5 runs on average over those games. As for Lincoln Park, their loss dropped their record down to 11-14.
Payton College Prep came out on top in a nail-biter against Lincoln Park in their previous meeting on Monday, sneaking past 4-2. Will the Grizzlies repeat their success, or do the Lions have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
