vs
| 05/02/24 - Home | 8-7 W |
| 04/30/24 - Away | 7-2 W |
| 05/11/17 - Home | 10-1 W |
| 04/25/17 - Home | 9-2 W |
| 04/24/17 - Away | 6-2 W |
| + 5 more games |
Cortland is 8-2 against Mexico since April of 2015 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Monday. The Purple Tigers will face off against the Tigers at 5:00 p.m. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, these teams will really light up the scoreboard.
Cortland had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the six-run drubbing they dealt Wellsville on Thursday. The Purple Tigers blew past the Lions 14-8. Considering the Purple Tigers' hitters had been struggling lately, the high-scoring outing was a much-needed turnaround.
Cal Albright made a splash no matter where he played. He pitched five innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off five hits. Albright was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in all five of his plate appearances with three RBI, one stolen base, and one run. What's more, he posted three hits, the most he's had since back in April of 2024.
In other batting news, Tristan Milligan was incredible, going 2-for-4 with two triples, three RBI, and one run. Those hits marked the first that he has got this season. Another player making a difference was Caden Albright, who got on base in all five of his plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and one double.
Cortland kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 16 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least nine hits in three consecutive matches.
Meanwhile, it was a proper cat-fight when Mexico duked it out with Port Byron on Thursday. The Tigers put the hurt on the Panthers with a sharp 18-3 victory. Considering the Tigers have won four games by more than six runs this season, Thursday's blowout was nothing new.
Evan Hansen was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching four innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off six hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances. He was even better at the plate, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Brayden Mack, who got on base in all four of his plate appearances with four runs, two stolen bases, and three RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of Carter Robert, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two stolen bases, three runs, and one RBI.
The win was the third in a row for Mexico, bringing their record up to 4-1. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 19.0 runs over those games. As for Cortland, their record is now 4-1.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Cortland has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 11.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Mexico struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.2 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Cortland came out on top in a nail-biter against Mexico in their previous matchup back in May of 2024, sneaking past 8-7. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Purple Tigers since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
