The Woodstock Academy Centaurs will challenge the St. Bernard Saints at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. The last five games Woodstock Academy has played have been within two runs, so don't be surprised if it's a close one.
Woodstock Academy took a six-run defeat the last time they faced off against Fitch, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. The Centaurs won by a run and slipped past the Falcons 4-3. That's two games straight that the Centaurs have won by just one run.
Brady Ericson made a big impact no matter where he played. He didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out 11 over six innings pitched. Woodstock Academy is 4-1 when Ericson posts eight or more strikeouts, but 5-7 otherwise. Ericson was also big at the plate, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with one stolen base.
Tanner Graham
| 04/28/25 @ Putnam | 3 |
| 03/28/25 vs Old Lyme | 3 |
| 05/14/25 vs Fitch | 2 |
| 05/03/25 @ Maloney | 2 |
| 04/30/25 @ Norwich Free Academy | 2 |
| + 1 more games |
In other batting news, Tanner Graham and Hayden Maloney did most of the damage at the plate: Graham went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases and two runs, while Maloney went 2-for-4 with two RBI, one run, and one double. Graham has become a key player for Woodstock Academy: the team is 4-2 when he posts at least two runs, but 5-6 otherwise.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for St. Bernard, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Wednesday. They never let Lyman Memorial get on the board and left with a 7-0 win on Wednesday. The Saints not only won on Wednesday, but they posted their biggest win since April 17th (when they won 14-0).
Like Woodstock Academy, St. Bernard also got a great game from a two-way player: Desmond Powers. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only one hit while striking out seven over five innings pitched. Powers has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up a single earned run in four consecutive appearances. He 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 batting news, Anthony Demarco was excellent, going a perfect 4-for-4 with two RBI and one run. Those four hits gave him a new career-high. Johnny Lazarou was another key player, going 1-for-3 with two runs and one stolen base.
Woodstock Academy's victory ended a four-game drought at home and bumped them up to 9-8. As for St. Bernard, their win bumped their record up to 5-11.
Woodstock Academy's speedy runners might be the difference in Friday's contest. The Centaurs have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 4.1 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for St. Bernard, though, as they've been averaging only 1.1 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Woodstock Academy continue to outrun the ball?
Woodstock Academy took their victory against St. Bernard when the teams last played back in May of 2024 by a conclusive 9-3 score. Do the Centaurs have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Saints turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
