Monsignor Pace is 2-8 against Stoneman Douglas since February of 2015 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Friday. The Spartans will look to defend their home field against the Eagles at 6:30 p.m. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Monsignor Pace 4.1, Stoneman Douglas 2.2) so any runs scored will be well earned.
Last Wednesday, Monsignor Pace came up short against Somerset Academy and fell 7-4.
Monsignor Pace saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Rudy Marichal, who scored two runs while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
Meanwhile, Stoneman Douglas never let their opponents score on Thursday. Everything went their way against Fort Lauderdale as they made off with an 11-0 win. The result was nothing new for the Eagles, who have now won eight contests by seven runs or more so far this season.
Daniel Tartaglia tossed a big game, keeping things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out ten over five innings pitched. He has been consistent : he hasn't given up more than one walk any time he's pitched this season.
On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Lorenzo Laurel, who went 2-for-3 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs. Those four RBI gave him a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Jake Rizzo, who scored two runs while going 2-for-4.
The victory made it two in a row for Stoneman Douglas and bumps their season record up to 19-2. Those wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered a grand total of 2 run in those games. As for Monsignor Pace, their defeat dropped their record down to 13-8.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Monsignor Pace has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Stoneman Douglas struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 9.9 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Monsignor Pace suffered a grim 9-1 defeat to Stoneman Douglas in their previous matchup back in March of 2024. Can the Spartans avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
