vs
| 04/08/25 - Home | 1-12 L |
| 04/23/24 - Away | 4-5 L |
| 04/13/24 - Home | 5-4 W |
| 05/12/23 - Home | 3-5 L |
| 04/24/23 - Away | 15-13 W |
| + 5 more games |
Taft and Payton College Prep are an even 5-5 against one another since May of 2021, but likely not for long. The Eagles will head out to take on the Grizzlies at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Taft is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.6 runs per game this season.
The home team had come away the winner the last four times Taft and Lincoln Park had met, but sadly for the fans who attended this one that wasn't the case. The Eagles fell 13-8 to the Lions on Monday. Eagles fans who chose to attend the game sure picked the wrong one: it was the first time the team's lost against the Lions since on Monday.
Taft got a good showing from Brian DeCastris, who pitched three innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off two hits. DeCastris has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two hits any time he's pitched this season.
On the hitting side, Nathan Meara made the most of his time at bat despite the final result and scored two runs while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances. Julian Muntean also deserves some recognition as he hit his first triple of the season.
Meanwhile, Payton College Prep had already won six in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 9.8 runs) and they went ahead and made it seven on Monday. They never let the Vikings get on the board and left with a 10-0 victory. Considering the Grizzlies have won six games by more than six runs this season, Monday's blowout was nothing new.
Derek Patton was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run while striking out seven over six innings pitched. 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 5-6 otherwise. Patton was also big at the plate, scoring two runs while going 2-for-3. The dominant performance also gave him a new career-high in doubles (two).
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Caleb Salgado, who went 2-for-3 with one home run and three runs. He is becoming a predictor of Payton College Prep's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 3-7 when he doesn't). Nathan Volkens was another key player, going 2-for-4 with three RBI and one stolen base.
Payton College Prep was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .393. They are a perfect 6-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Taft's defeat dropped their record down to 6-8. As for Payton College Prep, the win got them back to even at 7-7.
Tuesday's matchup will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Taft hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .337. However, it's not like Payton College Prep struggles in that department as they've averaged .324. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Taft might still be hurting after the 12-1 loss they got from Payton College Prep in their previous matchup on Tuesday. Can the Eagles avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
