The Monsignor McClancy Crusaders will venture away from home to challenge the Cardinal Spellman Pilots at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Both come into the match bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Monsignor McClancy gave up the first runs on Thursday, but they didn't let that get them down. They narrowly escaped with a win as the team sidled past St. Francis Prep 4-3. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Crusaders.
Alison Toribio was incredible, going 1-for-2 with one home run and two RBI. Sabina Franzese was another key player, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 2-for-2.
Monsignor McClancy always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .529. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Cardinal Spellman hadn't beaten Maria Regina on the road since May 1, 2019 but that history sure didn't bother them last Wednesday. The Pilots came out on top against the Tigers by a score of 14-10. The Pilots' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Danielle Sanchez was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she struck out eight batters over seven innings while giving up six earned (and four unearned) runs off seven hits. She has been consistent : she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts any time she's pitched this season. She was even better at the plate, scoring a run and stealing two bases while getting on base in all five of her plate appearances. Those stolen bases marked the first that she snagged this season.
In other batting news, Camila Uribe and Mia Paulino did most of the damage at the plate: Uribe scored three runs and stole two bases while getting on base in four of her six plate appearances, while Paulino went 3-for-5 with three RBI, two runs, and one triple. Those stolen bases were Uribe's first of the season. The team also got some help courtesy of Migoni Cortes, who scored two runs and stole three bases while getting on base in three of her five plate appearances.
Cardinal Spellman's first victory this season bumped their record up to 1-4. As for Monsignor McClancy, the win got them back to even at 3-3.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Friday as neither team is afraid to steal. Monsignor McClancy has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Cardinal Spellman struggles in that department as they've been averaging 4.2 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Monsignor McClancy suffered a grim 14-1 defeat to Cardinal Spellman in their previous meeting back in April of 2019. Can the Crusaders avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
