The Minisink Valley Warriors are taking a road trip to square off against the Goshen Central Gladiators at 4:15 p.m. on Monday. Minisink Valley is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.9 runs per game this season.
Minisink Valley will roll into the contest after a wild two-game stretch: they only put up one run on Wednesday, then bounced right back against Monticello on Friday. The Warriors were the clear victors by an 18-1 margin over the Panthers. The match marked the Warriors' most dominant victory of the season so far.
Nicholas Parco
Nicholas Parco looked comfortable as he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit while striking out seven over four innings pitched. He also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because Minisink Valley is 2-1 when he allows at most two earned runs, but 1-4 otherwise.
At the plate, the team relied heavily on Liam Barry, who went 3-for-4 with five RBI, one run, and one double. Gavin Brown was another key player, going 1-for-3 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI.
Minisink Valley was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .414. They are 2-1 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Meanwhile, Goshen Central was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their third straight defeat. They were a single run away from ending the streak, but they lost a 2-1 heartbreaker at the hands of Warwick. The game marked the Gladiators' lowest-scoring contest so far this season.
Goshen Central saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was F Mitterbauer, who went 1-for-4 with one double and one RBI.
Minisink Valley's record is now 3-5. As for Goshen Central, their loss dropped their record down to 4-3.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Minisink Valley has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Goshen Central struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.4 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Minisink Valley suffered a grim 10-0 defeat to Goshen Central in their previous meeting back in May of 2024. Can the Warriors avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
