The Lincoln Prep Lightning will venture away from home to challenge the Superior Panthers at 3:45 p.m. on Thursday. Lincoln Prep has given up an average of 11.4 runs per game this season, but Thursday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Lincoln Prep couldn't beat Gilbert Classical Academy on Tuesday even though they stacked seven runs on them in the fifth inning. The Lightning fell just short of the Spartans by a score of 13-12. The Lightning have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
Jacoby Weiss and Cash Luce stepped up to the plate in a big way. Weiss went a perfect 4-for-4 with one home run and five RBI, while Luce got on base in all five of his plate appearances with four runs, two stolen bases, and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Superior didn't have quite enough to beat Hayden on Tuesday and fell 4-3.
Ryland Duarte put in work no matter where he played. He struck out seven batters over six innings while giving up three earned (and one unearned) runs off nine hits (and only one walk). He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't tossed less than seven strikeouts in four consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with one stolen base, one run, and one double.
Duarte wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Raiden Sommer, who went 3-for-4 with one run. Mario Bogenschutz also deserves some recognition as he scored his first run of the season.
Lincoln Prep's record is now 3-7. As for Superior, their record now sits at 4-8.
Lincoln Prep's speedy runners might be the difference in Thursday's game. The Lightning have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 2.8 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Superior, though, as they've been averaging only 1.3 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Lincoln Prep continue to outrun the ball?
Everything went Lincoln Prep's way against Superior in their previous meeting back in April of 2025, as Lincoln Prep made off with a 7-0 victory. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Lightning since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
