Highland Prep had lost four straight at home, but on Tuesday they dropped down to 0-13 to make it five. They lost 9-3 to the Highland Prep West unknown. The Honey Badgers were given a dose of their own medicine in this game as the unknown apparently hadn't forgotten their defeat the last time these teams played back in April of 2025.
Elijah Rodda put in work while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out 13 batters over five innings while giving up seven earned runs off eight hits (and not a single walk). The dominant performance also gave him a new career-low in walks (zero). He was also stellar in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with one triple, one stolen base, and one run. That run marked the first that he has scored this season.
In other batting news, Alexander Argento made the most of his time in the batter's box despite the final result and went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, one double, and one RBI. That RBI was his first of the season.
As for Highland Prep West, their win ended a 13-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 2-11. Their hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Like Highland Prep, Highland Prep West also got a great game from a two-way player: Mateo Espinoza. He struck out six batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs off three hits. Espinoza has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up a single earned run in three consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with three RBI, one stolen base, and one double. Those three RBI gave him a new career-high.
In other batting news, Lincoln Blanco and Matias Chavez did most of the damage at the plate: Blanco went 2-for-4 with two runs and one stolen base, while Chavez went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases and two runs. Those two runs gave Chavez a new career-high. Christopher Ballesteros was another key player, getting on base in four of his five plate appearances with two runs and one stolen base.
Highland Prep wasted no time getting back out on the field and has already played their next matchup, a 30-0 loss against ALA - West Foothills on the 16th. As for Highland Prep West, they also didn't take long to hit the field again: they've already played their next contest, a 12-2 defeat against Trivium Prep on the 15th.
