The Maple Heights Mustangs will square off against the Garfield Rams at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Maple Heights has given up an average of 12.9 runs per game this season, but Thursday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Maple Heights is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They were the clear victors by a 24-12 margin over Richmond Heights on Thursday. The win was some much needed relief for the Mustangs as it spelled an end to their four-game losing streak.
Shawn Boyd was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he struck out ten batters over 4.1 innings while giving up four earned (and three unearned) runs off only two hits. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in four consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, getting on base in three of his five plate appearances with three runs. He has become a key player for Maple Heights: the team is 4-1 when he posts at least two runs, but 1-6 otherwise.
Xavier Mosley
| 04/30/26 @ Richmond Heights | 2 |
| 04/21/26 vs Garfield Heights | 1 |
| 04/08/26 vs Warrensville Heights | 1 |
| 04/06/26 @ Warrensville Heights | 1 |
In other batting news, Maple Heights got a massive performance out of Xavier Mosley, who got on base in four of his five plate appearances with eight stolen bases, three runs, and two RBI. The dominant performance also gave Mosley a new career-high in hits (two). Maurice Haggins was another key player, getting on base in five of his six plate appearances with four stolen bases, four runs, and two RBI.
Maple Heights was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .500. That's the best batting average they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, Monday just wasn't the day for Garfield's offense. They lost 24-0 to Firestone on Monday. Having soared to a lofty 13 runs in the game before, the Rams' shutout was a dramatic turnaround.
Maple Heights' victory bumped their record up to 5-7. As for Garfield, their defeat dropped their record down to 1-11.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Maple Heights has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Garfield struggles in that department as they've been averaging 6.7 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one. Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
