Grace is a perfect 7-0 against Santa Clara since April of 2015 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Saturday. The Lancers will face off against the Saints at 11:00 a.m. Grace is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.3 runs per game this season.
Grace took a ten-run loss the last time they faced off against Thacher, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. The Lancers came out on top in a nail-biter against the Toads on Thursday, sneaking past 5-3. The victory was some much needed relief for the Lancers as it spelled an end to their six-game losing streak.
Rudy Gargiulo spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: he surrendered just two earned (and one unearned) runs on five hits.
Jake Barrett
| 04/24/25 vs Thacher | 2 |
| 04/01/25 vs Bishop Diego | 2 |
| 03/08/25 @ Dunn | 2 |
| 02/24/25 @ Fillmore | 2 |
| 04/17/25 @ Foothill Tech | 1 |
| + 6 more games |
At the plate, Jake Barrett was excellent, going 2-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double. Grace is undefeated when Barrett posts two or more runs, but 4-9-2 otherwise. Alex Van was another key player, going 1-for-3 with two runs and one stolen base.
Meanwhile, Santa Clara didn't have quite enough to beat Dunn on Thursday and fell 7-5. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest defeat the Saints have suffered against the Earwigs since May 19, 2021.
Lucas Mendez put in work while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than two hits in three consecutive appearances. He was also stellar in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with four stolen bases, three runs, and one double.
In other batting news, Christopher Alcala made the most of his time at bat despite the final result and went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases and two RBI. Alex Ambriz also deserves some recognition as he hit his first double of the season.
Santa Clara's loss was their seventh straight on the road, which dropped their record down to 1-13. As for Grace, their win bumped their record up to 8-9-2.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Saturday as neither team is afraid to steal. Grace has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 4.2 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Santa Clara struggles in that department as they've been averaging 5.9 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Grace took their victory against Santa Clara when the teams last played back in March of 2024 by a conclusive 12-1 score. Do the Lancers have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Saints turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
