Winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Gustine). They were the clear victor by a 20-2 margin over the Stone Ridge Christian Knights on Tuesday. The Reds have beaten the Knights the last five times they've met, but they better watch out: this was the closest the Knights has come to flipping the script.
Lucas Malone and Alexander Quezada made a big impact no matter where they played. Throwing, Malone struck out seven batters over four innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off three hits (and only one walk). Meanwhile, Quezada pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Malone has been consistent : he hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive appearances. At bat, Malone scored two runs while getting on base in four of his five plate appearances, while Quezada scored a run and stole a base while going 2-for-4.
In other batting news, Gustine let Michael Salsa and Jake Campbell run wild. Salsa went 4-for-5 with eight RBI, three doubles, and two runs, while Campbell went a perfect 4-for-4 with four runs, four RBI, and one triple. Salsa is becoming a predictor of Gustine's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 1-3 when he doesn't). Another player making a difference was Avery Ethridge, who scored four runs and stole a base while getting on base in two of his five plate appearances.
Reds
| 03/04/25 @ Stone Ridge Christian | 51.9% |
| 02/28/25 vs Orestimba | 33.3% |
| 02/26/25 @ Orestimba | 30.3% |
| 02/25/25 @ Modesto | 29.6% |
| 02/21/25 @ Hilmar | 4.8% |
| + 5 more games |
Gustine was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .519. The last time their batting average was this high was back in May of 2024.
Gustine pushed their record up to 6-3 with the victory, which was their third straight on the road. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.7 runs over those games. As for Stone Ridge Christian, they are on a six-game losing streak (dating back to last season) that has dropped them down to 0-2.
Gustine will have a chance to go back-to-back against Stone Ridge Christian: the pair's next game is a rematch scheduled at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
