Phoenixville is 10-0 against Upper Merion Area since May of 2018, and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Monday. The Phoenixville Phantoms will be playing in front of their home fans against the Upper Merion Area Vikings at 4:00 p.m. The two teams each escaped (but just barely!) with wins against their previous opponents.
Phoenixville took a loss when they played away from home on Wednesday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Thursday. They had just enough and edged Upper Perkiomen out 7-6.
Tommy Whitesel made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he tossed six innings while giving up five earned runs off five hits. Whitesel has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive pitching appearances. Whitesel was also big at the plate, scoring a run while going 2-for-3.
In other batting news, Chris Mull was excellent, scoring two runs while going 4-for-4.
Meanwhile, Upper Merion Area has not done well against Pope John Paul II recently (they were 0-9 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Friday. Upper Merion Area narrowly escaped with a win as the team sidled past Pope John Paul II 8-6.
Nick Varano was incredible, scoring two runs and stealing three bases while going 1-for-3. Another player making a difference was David Peck, who scored a run while going 2-for-4.
Phoenixville's victory was their third straight at home, which pushed their record up to 6-6. As for Upper Merion Area, their win bumped their record up to 4-9.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Phoenixville has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.4 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Upper Merion Area struggles in that department as they've been averaging 6.8. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Phoenixville was able to grind out a solid victory over Upper Merion Area when the teams last played on April 12th, winning 7-2. Will Phoenixville repeat their success, or does Upper Merion Area have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
