The Masuk Panthers will venture away from home to square off against the Oxford Wolverines at 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday. Masuk is coming into the matchup hot, having won their last six games.
Masuk had to skate by with only a two-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the nine-run drubbing they dealt Notre Dame Prep on Monday. The Panthers were the clear victors by a 14-5 margin over the Lancers. Considering the Panthers have won three contests by more than five runs this season, Monday's blowout was nothing new.
Justin Fanning was a major factor no matter where he played. He tossed 1.2 innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances. He was also stellar in the batter's box, going a perfect 3-for-3 with three stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI. Those three stolen bases gave him a new career-high.
In other pitching news, Masuk got a great performance from Jacob Mondo as he struck out six batters over 4.1 innings while giving up just one earned (and four unearned) runs off three hits. Mondo has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in four consecutive appearances.
Nico Convertito
| 04/28/25 vs Notre Dame Prep | 3 |
| 04/24/25 vs New Fairfield | 2 |
| 04/19/25 @ Southington | 2 |
| 04/16/25 vs Kaynor Tech | 2 |
| 04/21/25 vs Brookfield | 1 |
Back at the plate, Masuk let Nico Convertito and Chris Welch run wild. Convertito went 3-for-4 with three runs, one stolen base, and one double, while Welch got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base. Those three hits gave Convertito a new career-high. Ethan Fonck was another key player, going 1-for-2 with one stolen base, one run, and one double.
For some reason, the away team has come away with the win the last five times Oxford and St. Paul Catholic have met, but the home crowd finally got their W on Monday. The Wolverines fell 6-1 to the Falcons. Having soared to a lofty 17 runs in the game before, the Wolverines couldn't push the score so high this time.
Masuk pushed their record up to 7-3 with the win, which was their fourth straight at home. The home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.8 runs over those games. As for Oxford, their loss was their first in the league, dropping their league record down to 5-1 and their overall record down to 5-3.
Masuk came out on top in a nail-biter against Oxford in their previous meeting back in May of 2024, sneaking past 1-0. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Panthers since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
