The Needles Mustangs will take on the Lake Mead Christian Academy Eagles at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty run totals in their previous games.
Needles is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Friday. They put the hurt on White Pine with a sharp 16-3 win. Considering the Mustangs have won 12 matchups by more than five runs this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.
Brayden Baca made a splash while hitting and pitching. He tossed five innings while giving up three earned runs off six hits. He has been consistent: he hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive appearances. He was even better at the plate, going 3-for-4 with five RBI and one triple. That's the most hits he has posted since back in March.
Gabe Rodriguez
| 05/08/26 @ White Pine | 4 |
| 03/06/26 @ Parker | 3 |
| 05/07/26 @ Lake Mead Christian Academy | 2 |
| 04/24/26 vs Palo Verde Valley | 2 |
| 04/17/26 @ White Pine | 2 |
In other batting news, Gabe Rodriguez was a standout: he went a perfect 4-for-4 with three RBI, two runs, and one triple. Those four hits gave him a new career-high. Robert Tapia was another key player, getting on base in all five of his plate appearances with four runs and one stolen base.
Needles was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .483. They are 7-2 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Meanwhile, Lake Mead Christian Academy was able to grind out a solid victory over White Pine on Friday, taking the game 11-8. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Eagles.
The team relied heavily on Bryan Freeman, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with four RBI, two runs, and one triple. Another player making a difference was Danny Yeates, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two stolen bases, three runs, and one double.
Lake Mead Christian Academy's win bumped their record up to 17-5. As for Needles, their victory bumped their record up to 14-11.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Saturday as neither team is afraid to steal. Needles has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.6 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Lake Mead Christian Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 6.3 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Needles got the 'W' when the teams last played on Thursday against Lake Mead Christian Academy by a conclusive 18-5 score. Will the Mustangs repeat their success, or do the Eagles have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
