Sandalwood is 8-2 against First Coast since April of 2017 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Thursday. The Saints will be taking part in a tournament against the Buccaneers at 7:00 p.m. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Sandalwood 2.7, First Coast 4) so any runs scored will be well earned.
Sandalwood saw some tournament action on Tuesday. They came out on top against Englewood by a score of 6-2.
Trent Baskins was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He pitched 3.2 innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. What's more, he posted three strikeouts, the most he's had since back in February. He was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run and stealing two bases while going 3-for-4.
In other pitching news, Bane Barker looked comfortable as he tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than one walk in three consecutive appearances.
Parker Shuman
| 04/01/25 vs Englewood | 2 |
| 03/27/25 vs Northwestern | 1 |
| 03/25/25 @ Ridgeview | 1 |
| 03/14/25 vs Parker | 1 |
| 03/07/25 @ Baker County | 1 |
Baskins wasn't the only one making solid contact as six players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Parker Shuman, who scored a run while going 2-for-3. Those two hits gave Shuman a new career-high.
Sandalwood was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .393. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Englewood only posted a batting average of .130.
Meanwhile, First Coast had already won three in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 5.7 runs) and they went ahead and made it four on Wednesday. Everything went their way against the Bobcats as they made off with a 15-5 win.
Like Sandalwood, First Coast also got a great game from a two-way player: Kris Thorne. On the mound, he pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Thorne was also big at the plate, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 1-for-3.
In other batting news, Rob Chatman was incredible, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with one home run, three RBI, and two runs. Connor Howlett was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing a base while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
Sandalwood has been performing well recently as they've won nine of their last 11 games. That's provided a nice bump to their 12-6 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 7.5 runs over those games. As for First Coast, they pushed their record up to 12-7 with the win, which was their third straight at home.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Sandalwood has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like First Coast struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.3 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one. Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other baseball content.
