The Pusch Ridge Christian Academy Lions will take on the Snowflake Lobos on Saturday. Each of these teams will be fighting to keep a win streak alive as Pusch Ridge Christian Academy comes in on four and Snowflake on eight.
Pusch Ridge Christian Academy is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Tuesday. Their pitcher stepped up to hand Northwest Christian a 2-0 shutout.
John Sunukjian
| 02/26/25 vs Catalina Foothills | 5 |
| 04/03/25 vs Tanque Verde | 3 |
| 04/30/25 @ Tanque Verde | 2 |
| 04/01/25 @ Cholla | 2 |
| 03/06/25 vs Seton Catholic | 1 |
John Sunukjian was a major factor no matter where he played. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run while striking out 12 over seven innings pitched. He also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because Pusch Ridge Christian Academy is 8-3 when he allows at most one earned run, but 7-8 otherwise. Sunukjian was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with one triple.
Sunukjian wasn't the only one making solid contact as four players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was TJ Loftis, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with one RBI. That's the most hits Loftis has posted since back in March. Lincoln Miller was another, going 3-for-4 with one RBI.
Meanwhile, Snowflake had just enough and edged out Blue Ridge 2-1 on Tuesday.
Like Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Snowflake also got a great game from a two-way player: Skip Bawden. He struck out ten batters over 6.1 innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits. Bawden has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two hits in three consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, one triple, and one RBI.
Snowflake's victory was their 12th straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 19-6. The home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.6 runs on average over those games. As for Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, their victory bumped their record up to 15-11.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Saturday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Pusch Ridge Christian Academy has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 9.5 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Snowflake struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 9 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Pusch Ridge Christian Academy couldn't quite get it done against Snowflake in their previous meeting back in April of 2024 as they fell 5-2. Can the Lions avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
