Gateway is 2-8 against Aurora Central since April of 2018 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Thursday. The Olympians will take on the Trojans at 4:00 p.m. One thing working in Gateway's favor is that they have posted at least ten runs in their last three games.
While Gateway didn't have the best season last year (they finished 9-12), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They put the hurt on Thornton with a sharp 17-3 win on Tuesday. The Olympians have beaten the Trojans the last five times they've met, but they better watch out: this was the closest the Trojans has come to flipping the script.
Mervin Loya
| 04/15/25 @ Thornton | 5 |
| 03/25/25 @ Hinkley | 4 |
| 04/10/25 vs Overland | 3 |
| 04/08/25 vs Skyview | 2 |
| 04/01/25 vs Aurora Central | 2 |
| + 4 more games |
Angel Ferrusquia and Mervin Loya did most of the damage at the plate: Ferrusquia scored four runs and stole two bases while going 3-for-3, while Loya scored two runs and stole five bases while going 2-for-3. Gateway is 4-1 when Loya posts two or more stolen bases, but 2-3 otherwise. Roberto Rosario was another key player, scoring three runs and stealing a base while going 2-for-3.
Gateway was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .444. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .444 or higher in three consecutive matches.
Meanwhile, Aurora Central hadn't done well against Skyview recently (they were 2-7 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Tuesday. The Trojans had just enough and edged out the Wolverines 12-11. The high-flying hitting performance was a huge turnaround for the Trojans considering their two-run performance the contest before.
Kalai Bentosino made a big impact no matter where he played. He didn't allow a single earned run over four innings pitched. Bentosino was also big at the plate, scoring four runs and stealing two bases while getting on base in two of his four plate appearances. Those four runs gave him a new career-high.
In other batting news, Jorge De Los Santos was incredible, getting on base in four of his five plate appearances with four RBI, two runs, and one double. That's the most runs he has posted since back in March.
Aurora Central pushed their record up to 4-7 with the victory, which was their third straight at home. Those home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 12.3 runs over those games. As for Gateway, their record is now 6-4.
Gateway skirted past Aurora Central 6-5 in their previous matchup two weeks ago. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Olympians since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
