Xavier Prep had lost six straight on the road, but on Thursday they dropped down to 1-12 to make it seven. They came up short against the Palm Desert Aztecs, falling 18-1. The result was an unpleasant reminder to the Saints of the 2-0 loss they experienced in the pair's previous head-to-head fixture back in May of 2025.
Xavier Prep saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Cam Burke, who went a perfect 1-for-1 with one stolen base and one RBI.
As for Palm Desert, they now have a winning record of 7-6. The win made it back-to-back victories for they.
On Palm Desert's side, Parker Gladish and Mason Smith were major factors while hitting and pitching. On the mound, Gladish tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Meanwhile, Smith pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two hits in five consecutive appearances. At bat, Gladish went 2-for-4 with two runs, two doubles, and one stolen base, while Smith got on base in all four of his plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. That's the most RBI Smith has posted since back in May of 2025.
In other pitching news, Zane Hathaway looked comfortable as he pitched two innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits.
Back at the plate, the team relied heavily on Sebastian Morales, who went 2-for-4 with three RBI, two runs, and one stolen base. That's the most RBI he has posted since back in April of 2025. The team also got some help courtesy of Niko Guarino, who went 2-for-4 with two runs and one RBI.
Xavier Prep has already played their next matchup, a 9-0 defeat against Notre Dame on the 28th. As for Palm Desert, they also wasted no time getting back out on the field and have already played their next game, a 4-1 loss against La Quinta on the 30th.
