For the first time this season, Lathrop will have a chance to prove themselves in a conference matchup on Tuesday. They will head out on the road to square off against Grace Davis at 4:00 p.m. The two teams each escaped (but just barely!) with wins against their previous opponents.
Lathrop is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They came out on top in a nail-biter against River Islands on Friday, sneaking past 10-9. The high-scoring effort was just what the Spartans needed considering they were shut out in their previous contest.
Tommy Hammond was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing two innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits. He has been consistent : he hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, scoring a run and stealing Two bases. while getting on base in three of his five plate appearances. Those two stolen bases gave him a new career-high.
In other batting news, Lathrop got a massive performance out of Angel Sararan, who went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases, four RBI, and one run. The team also got some help courtesy of Santino Arranaga, who went 2-for-4 with two runs, one triple, and two RBI.
Meanwhile, Grace Davis hadn't done well against Modesto recently (they were 2-7 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Thursday. Grace Davis sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 4-2 win over Modesto. The victory was nothing new for the Spartans as they're now sitting on five straight.
Like Lathrop, Grace Davis also got a great game from a two-way player: Tanner Bland. He struck out eight batters over 6.2 innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off eight hits (and only one walk). That one earned run gave Bland a new career-low. He was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 2-for-4.
In other batting news, Anthony Reece was excellent, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI. Mendoza Oscar also deserves some recognition as he hit his first triple of the season.
Grace Davis' win was their fourth straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 6-2. A key ingredient in that success has been their performance when it comes to hits: they averaged an imposing 8.75 hits in those games compared to only three in the others. As for Lathrop, their victory ended a five-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 2-6.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Lathrop has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Grace Davis struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Lathrop skirted past Grace Davis 5-4 in their previous matchup back in April of 2024. The rematch might be a little tougher for Lathrop since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
