The Forest Park Panthers are taking a road trip to square off against the Pace Academy Knights at 5:55 p.m. on Monday. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, the two teams will really light up the scoreboard.
Having struggled with four defeats in a row, Forest Park turned things around against Mays on Friday. They came out on top against the Raiders by a score of 10-7.
Carmello Turner
| 03/21/25 @ Mays | 3 |
| 03/12/25 vs Drew | 1 |
| 03/07/25 vs Creekside | 1 |
| 02/28/25 vs Douglass | 1 |
| 02/24/25 vs Stephenson | 1 |
Forest Park let Carmello Turner and Jaheem Williams run wild. Turner scored three runs and stole three bases while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances, while Williams scored three runs and stole two bases while getting on base in four of his five plate appearances. Those three runs gave Turner a new career-high. Jaylin Johnson also deserves some recognition as he snagged his first stolen bases of the season.
Meanwhile, Pace Academy waltzed into their contest on Friday with five straight wins... but they left with six. Their pitcher stepped up to hand Drew a 22-0 shutout. The result was nothing new for the Knights, who have now won seven matches by nine runs or more so far this season.
Dylan Nelson was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit (and only one walk). He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in six consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances. He is becoming a predictor of Pace Academy's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 2-6 when he doesn't).
In other batting news, Miles Mador and Alston Mallis did most of the damage at the plate: Mador got on base in all four of his plate appearances with three runs, three RBI, and one triple, while Mallis scored four runs and stole a base while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances. Pace Academy is undefeated when Mador posts three or more RBI, but 5-6 otherwise. Davis Morrison was another key player, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 1-for-2.
Pace Academy hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. They are a perfect 3-0 when they post two or more strikeouts.
Pace Academy's win was their fourth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 8-6. Those victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.5 runs on average over those games. As for Forest Park, their record is now 8-6.
Monday's game might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Forest Park has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .464. However, it's not like Pace Academy struggles in that department as they've averaged .506. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance. Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other baseball content.
