The Washington Union Panthers will venture away from home to take on the Exeter Monarchs at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The two teams are sauntering into the matchup backed by comfortable wins in their prior games.
Washington Union had to skate by with only a two-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the eight-run drubbing they dealt Crater on Wednesday. The Panthers never let the Comets get on the board and left with an 8-0 victory. Winning may never get old, but the Panthers sure are getting used to it with their third in a row.
Trey Morris made a splash no matter where he played. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out 16 over six innings pitched. Those 16 strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with three runs, one triple, and one stolen base. That triple marked the first that he has hit this season.
Dailon Finderup
| 04/16/25 vs Crater | 3 |
| 03/14/24 vs Central Valley Christian | 2 |
| 02/28/24 vs Coalinga | 2 |
| 02/28/25 vs Caruthers | 1 |
| 04/02/24 @ Reedley | 1 |
In other batting news, Dailon Finderup was excellent, going 1-for-2 with three RBI, one triple, and one run. Those three RBI gave him a new career-high. Matthew Lozano was another key player, going 1-for-2 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Exeter entered their tilt with Kern Valley on Wednesday with three consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with four. They were the clear victors by a 6-0 margin over the Broncs. The result was nothing new for the Monarchs, who have now won 14 games by six runs or more so far this season.
Exeter let Tanner Garnett and Owen Robertson run wild. Garnett went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, three RBI, and two doubles, while Robertson went a perfect 2-for-2 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one triple. The team also got some help courtesy of Tyler Trimble, who went 2-for-3 with one stolen base, one double, and one RBI.
Exeter hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. The team has now struck out at least five batters in three consecutive matches.
Washington Union's record now sits at 16-5. As for Exeter, their record is now an identical 16-5.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Wednesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Washington Union has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 10.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Exeter struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.9 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Washington Union beat Exeter 11-7 when the teams last played back in April of 2023. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Panthers since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
