Faith Lutheran and Basic are an even 5-5 against one another since May of 2021, but likely not for long. The Crusaders will challenge the Wolves at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Both come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Faith Lutheran is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Wednesday. They put the hurt on Palo Verde with a sharp 10-3 win. The high-scoring performance was a welcome turnaround for the Crusaders' hitters, who had struggled in the games prior.
Luke Stringer made a splash no matter where he played. He tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He is becoming a predictor of Faith Lutheran's success: when he allows at most one hit the team is 7-1 (and 12-13 when he doesn't). Stringer was also big at the plate, earning two runs and one stolen base. Those two runs gave him a new career-high.
In other pitching news, Faith Lutheran got a great performance from Cash Martin as he pitched five innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off six hits.
Eli Leone
| 05/07/25 @ Palo Verde | 2 |
| 04/25/25 vs Basic | 1 |
| 03/31/25 vs Spring Valley | 1 |
| 03/12/25 vs Red Mountain | 1 |
Back at the plate, Eli Leone was a standout: he went 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBI. Those two RBI gave him a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Nate Keyes, who went 3-for-5 with two RBI and one run.
Faith Lutheran was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .389. They are 11-1 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Meanwhile, Basic faced Centennial in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Wednesday. The Wolves narrowly escaped with a victory as the squad sidled past the Bulldogs 8-7. The win was familiar territory for the Wolves, who have now won four matches in a row.
Noah Sebastian tossed a big game, tossing 5.1 innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off seven hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances.
At the plate, the team relied heavily on Tate Southisene, who went 3-for-4 with one home run and three RBI. Another player making a difference was Dallon Cegavske, who went 3-for-4 with two RBI and one double.
Basic's victory was their ninth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 20-6. Those home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 8.9 runs over those games. As for Faith Lutheran, the victory made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 19-14.
Faith Lutheran skirted past Basic 7-5 in their previous matchup two weeks ago. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Crusaders since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
