The Twentynine Palms Wildcats will square off against Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy at 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday. Twentynine Palms is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.4 runs per game this season.
Twentynine Palms is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Thursday. Everything went their way against Beacon Hill as they made off with a 20-8 win. That's two games straight that the Wildcats have won by exactly 12 runs.
Mauricio Montada
| 05/15/25 vs Beacon Hill | 4 |
| 04/24/25 @ Yucca Valley | 2 |
| 02/25/25 vs Desert Christian Academy | 2 |
| 03/12/25 vs Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy | 1 |
| 02/24/25 @ Desert Hot Springs | 1 |
Mauricio Montada made a splash while hitting and pitching. He pitched three innings while giving up just one earned run off one hit. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances. He was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in four of his five plate appearances with four stolen bases and three runs. Those four stolen bases gave him a new career-high.
In other batting news, Anthony Gabriel and Jandell Jiminez did most of the damage at the plate: Gabriel earned three RBI, four runs, and five stolen bases, while Jiminez went 3-for-4 with two stolen bases, three runs, and one triple. Jiminez has become a key player for Twentynine Palms: the team is undefeated when he posts at least three hits, but 7-8 otherwise. Another player making a difference was Anthony Escandon, who went 1-for-3 with four stolen bases, one run, and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy had to endure a three-game losing streak, but that streak is no more. They came out on top against Mesa Grande Academy by a score of 9-6 on Thursday.
Like Twentynine Palms, Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy also got a great game from a two-way player: Kevyn Espinoza Ramos. On the mound, he pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Espinoza Ramos was also big at the plate, going 2-for-5 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double.
In other batting news, Ricky Gutierrez was incredible, going 3-for-5 with three runs, three doubles, and three RBI.
Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. They are 5-2 when they post 11 or more hits.
The victory made it two in a row for Twentynine Palms and bumps their season record up to 10-8. The wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 16.0 runs over those games. As for Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy, their record is now 9-10.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Tuesday as neither team is afraid to steal. Twentynine Palms has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 5.1 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging 4.3 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Everything went Twentynine Palms' way against Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy when the teams last played back in March, as Twentynine Palms made off with a 12-1 victory. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Wildcats since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
