Emmanuel Christian hasn't had much luck against Start recently, but that could start to change on Thursday. The Warriors will face off against the Spartans at 5:00 p.m. Emmanuel Christian is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.9 runs per game this season.
On Wednesday, Emmanuel Christian didn't have quite enough to beat Toledo Christian and fell 7-6.
Tim Sherban
| 05/05/25 @ Gorham Fayette | 4 |
| 05/07/25 vs Toledo Christian | 2 |
| 04/24/25 @ Northwood | 2 |
| 04/30/25 vs Cardinal Stritch | 1 |
| 04/26/25 vs Open Door Christian | 1 |
| + 3 more games |
Tim Sherban was cooking despite his team's loss, going a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI. He has become a key player for Emmanuel Christian: the team is 2-1 when he posts at least two runs, but 4-7 otherwise. Another player making a difference was Titus Shepherd, who went 1-for-2 with two stolen bases and two runs.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Start). Their pitchers stepped up to hand Rogers a 24-0 shutout on Wednesday. Considering the Spartans have won seven games by more than five runs this season, Wednesday's blowout was nothing new.
Braden Bowman made a big impact no matter where he played. On the mound, he pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances. He was even better at the plate, going 4-for-5 with four RBI, two runs, and one double. Those four hits gave him a new career-high.
In other pitching news, Brandon Scott looked comfortable as he went 4-for-5 with four runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. Those four hits gave him a new career-high.
Back at the plate, the team relied heavily on Joe Buck, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs, one double, and one RBI. That's the most runs he has posted since back in April. The team also got some help courtesy of Emari Green, who went 1-for-2 with two runs and two RBI.
Start always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .707. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Start has been performing well recently as they've won ten of their last 13 matches. That's provided a nice bump to their 12-6 record this season. The victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.6 runs over those games. As for Emmanuel Christian, their defeat dropped their record down to 6-8.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Emmanuel Christian has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Start struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.6 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Emmanuel Christian couldn't quite get it done against Start in their previous matchup back in April as they fell 7-2. Can the Warriors avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
