The Ocean View Christian Patriots will challenge the Liberty Charter Lions at 3:00 p.m. on Friday. Ocean View Christian has given up an average of 8.3 runs per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Ocean View Christian managed to slip by Mountain Empire the last time these teams faced off, but didn't have those same answers this time around. The Patriots lost 15-5 to the Redhawks on Monday. The game snapped a strange streak: the last five times these teams have met, it?s been the away team that?s taken home the W.
Ocean View Christian saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Cruz Pamintuan, who went 1-for-2 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Liberty Charter hadn't done well against High Tech CV recently (they were 1-8 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Monday. The Lions never let the Bruins get on the board and left with a 9-0 win. Considering the Lions have won eight contests by more than eight runs this season, Monday's blowout was nothing new.
Brody Harris made a big impact while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run while striking out eight over seven innings pitched. He also tossed a walk, which is notable because Liberty Charter is 2-1 when he allows at most one walk, but 6-7 otherwise. Harris was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with two runs, one triple, and two RBI.
In other batting news, Austin Otero was incredible, going 1-for-3 with one home run and three RBI. Liberty Charter is undefeated when Otero posts three or more RBI, but 5-8 otherwise. Drake Keehl was another key player, going 1-for-4 with two runs, one double, and one RBI.
Ocean View Christian's defeat dropped their record down to 7-5. As for Liberty Charter, the victory got them back to even at 8-8.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Ocean View Christian has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.5 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Liberty Charter struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.1 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Ocean View Christian suffered a grim 14-0 defeat to Liberty Charter in their previous meeting two weeks ago. Will the Patriots have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other baseball content.
