McCluer is 9-0-1 against Riverview Gardens since April of 2017 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Tuesday. The Comets will head out on the road to square off against the Rams at 4:00 p.m. McCluer has given up an average of 6.9 runs per game this season, but Tuesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
On Monday, McCluer came up short against STEAM Academy at McCluer South Berkeley and fell 11-7. The Comets haven't had much luck with the Bulldogs recently, as the team has come up short the last five times they've met.
Xavier Hill
| 04/24/25 @ McCluer North | 3 |
| 04/28/25 @ STEAM Academy at McCluer South Berkeley | 2 |
| 04/15/25 @ Normandy | 2 |
| 04/14/25 vs Gateway Tech | 2 |
| 04/17/25 @ Hazelwood East | 1 |
Xavier Hill was huge while hitting and pitching even without the win. On the mound, he tossed three innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than two hits in three consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, getting on base in two of his four plate appearances with two stolen bases and one RBI. McCluer is 3-1 when Hill posts two or more stolen bases, but 0-3 otherwise.
In other batting news, Colt Gates was cooking despite his team's loss, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with three stolen bases and one run. With that strong performance, he is now averaging an impressive 1.1 stolen bases per game. The team also got some help courtesy of William Speed, who went 1-for-3 with two stolen bases and two runs.
Meanwhile, Riverview Gardens got the win against Gateway Tech on Monday by a conclusive 14-5. With that win, the Rams brought their scoring average up to 6.5 runs per game.
Like McCluer, Riverview Gardens also got a great game from a two-way player: Timothy Williams Jr. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over two innings while giving up just two earned runs off one hit. Williams Jr was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-2 with two runs and one RBI.
In other batting news, Cormex Birdon was incredible, going 2-for-3 with two runs, one triple, and two RBI. Those RBI marked the first that he has brought in this season. Another player making a difference was David Graden lll, who got on base in all three of his plate appearances with one run, one double, and one RBI.
Riverview Gardens always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .826. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
McCluer now has a losing record of 3-4. As for Riverview Gardens, their victory (their first of the season) made their record 1-5.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. McCluer has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Riverview Gardens struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.5 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
McCluer beat Riverview Gardens 5-0 when the teams last played back in May of 2024. Will the Comets repeat their success, or do the Rams have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
