The Central Cambria Red Devils will head out to face off against the Chestnut Ridge Lions at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. Central Cambria has given up an average of 7.7 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Central Cambria is probably headed into the contest with a chip on their shoulder considering Bellefonte just ended the team's three-game winning streak on Friday. They fell just short of the Red Raiders by a score of 11-9. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest defeat the Red Devils have suffered since May 8, 2025.
Rocco Barra put in work while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out seven batters over six innings while giving up five earned runs off six hits. He has been consistent: he hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive appearances. He was also stellar in the batter's box, going 3-for-6 with three RBI, one run, and one double.
In other batting news, Derek Mcconnell was cooking despite his team's loss, going 3-for-7 with two doubles, one run, and one RBI. Jake Kirsch was another key player, going 2-for-6 with one run and one RBI.
Chestnut Ridge came out on top against Bishop McCort on Thursday thanks in part to the team's impressive four-run sixth inning. The Lions won by a run and slipped past the Crushers 4-3. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Lions have posted since May 8, 2025.
Like Central Cambria, Chestnut Ridge also got a great game from a two-way player: Kole Clark. On the mound, he tossed five innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off five hits. The dominant performance also gave Clark a new career-high in strikeouts (five). He was also big at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one triple, two RBI, and one run. That triple was his first of the season.
Clark wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Colton Boozer, who went 2-for-3 with one RBI.
Central Cambria's loss dropped their record down to 5-5. As for Chestnut Ridge, their record is now 5-2-1.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Central Cambria has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Chestnut Ridge struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.9 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Central Cambria skirted past Chestnut Ridge 2-1 in their previous meeting back in April of 2025. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Red Devils since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
