Orcutt Academy hasn't had much luck against Santa Maria recently, but that could start to change on Tuesday. The Spartans will venture away from home to face off against the Saints at 4:30 p.m. The two teams each escaped (but just barely!) with wins against their previous opponents.
Orcutt Academy proved they can win big two weeks ago (they won by six) and on Tuesday they proved they can win the close ones too. They skirted past Coast Union 5-3. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Spartans have posted since March 11th.
Nick Grindy
| 04/03/25 @ Nipomo | 7 |
| 03/27/25 @ Santa Ynez | 7 |
| 02/26/25 vs Coastal Christian | 3 |
| 03/11/25 vs Valley Christian Academy | 2 |
| 04/22/25 @ Coast Union | 1 |
Nick Grindy made a splash no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over five innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off six hits (and not a single walk). He is becoming a predictor of Orcutt Academy's success: when he allows at most one earned run the team is 3-1 (and 2-9 when he doesn't). Grindy was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with one triple, one run, and one double. That double was his first of the season.
Grindy wasn't the only one making solid contact as three players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Josue Ramirez, who got on base in all four of his plate appearances with one stolen base. Daniel Meraz also deserves some recognition as he brought in his first RBI of the season.
The scorekeeper got an easy start last Thursday as neither Santa Maria nor Nipomo made it on the board until the ninth inning. The Saints had just enough and edged out the Titans 2-1. Surprisingly, this marked the Saints' third straight game in which the away team has come away the victor.
Alex Ybarra was excellent, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and one run. Those two doubles gave him a new career-high.
With the win, Santa Maria broke their five-game losing streak and moved their record to 12-6. As for Orcutt Academy, their victory ended a five-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 5-10.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Orcutt Academy has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.1 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Santa Maria struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 9.1 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Orcutt Academy suffered a grim 14-0 defeat to Santa Maria in their previous meeting back in March. Can the Spartans avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
