The Anthem Prep Eagles will take on the Chandler Prep Titans at 7:00 p.m. on Monday. Both teams are coming into the game red-hot, with Anthem Prep sitting on three straight victories and Chandler Prep on six.
On Saturday, Anthem Prep made easy work of Valley Lutheran and carried off a 26-3 win. The Eagles might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won six contests by eight runs or more this season.
Jaxon MacHugh was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out seven batters over three innings while giving up three earned runs off only two hits. MacHugh was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with three stolen bases, three runs, and one RBI. That's the most stolen bases he has posted since back in March of 2024.
Aidan Wherley
| 04/19/25 @ Valley Lutheran | 4 |
| 04/11/25 @ Mountainside | 3 |
| 04/15/25 vs Antelope | 2 |
| 03/20/25 @ Maryvale Prep | 2 |
| 04/07/25 @ Salome | 1 |
In other batting news, Anthem Prep got a massive performance out of Aidan Wherley, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with four runs, two stolen bases, and two RBI. Those four runs gave Wherley a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Ricky Orta, who went 3-for-4 with five RBI, two runs, and one stolen base.
Anthem Prep hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Valley Lutheran struck out eight times.
Meanwhile, Chandler Prep narrowly escaped with a victory as the team sidled past Veritas Prep 4-2.
Like Anthem Prep, Chandler Prep also got a great game from a two-way player: Colman Smith. On the mound, he tossed three innings while giving up just two earned runs off one hit. Smith has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one hit in three consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going a perfect 2-for-2 with two stolen bases and one run. Those stolen bases were his first of the season.
Smith wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Emet Yates, who went 1-for-2 with two stolen bases and one run.
Chandler Prep's win was their 11th straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 13-4. The home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.7 runs over those games. As for Anthem Prep, their record is now 6-7.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Anthem Prep has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.4 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Chandler Prep struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 9.6 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Anthem Prep might still be hurting after the 13-3 loss they got from Chandler Prep in their previous matchup back in March of 2016. Can the Eagles avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
