Harbor Light Christian is on an eight-game streak of home wins, while Traverse City Christian is on a five-game streak of away wins (dating back to last season): one of those streaks is about to end. The Swordsmen will welcome the Sabres at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. Harbor Light Christian knows how to get runs on the board -- the team has finished with ten runs or more in their past six matches -- so hopefully Traverse City Christian likes a good challenge.
On Saturday, Harbor Light Christian made easy work of Cheboygan and carried off a 12-1 victory. The Swordsmen might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won ten contests by nine runs or more this season.
Porter Jacklitch was excellent, going a perfect 1-for-1 with two stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI. Those two RBI gave him a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Travis Rose, who got on base in all three of his plate appearances with one run, one double, and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Traverse City Christian posted their closest win since May 10, 2024 on Thursday. They came out on top in a nail-biter against Buckley, sneaking past 11-10. The victory continues a trend for the Sabres in their matchups with the Bears: they've now won seven in a row.
Kellen Manthei was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he tossed 2.2 innings while giving up just one earned (and three unearned) runs off one hit. Manthei was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances with two runs and one RBI.
In other batting news, Isaiah Willis was a standout: he got on base in four of his five plate appearances with three runs, one stolen base, and one RBI. He is becoming a predictor of Traverse City Christian's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 1-3 when he doesn't). Nixon Diemer was another key player, going 1-for-2 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run.
Traverse City Christian always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .538. They are a perfect 3-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
Traverse City Christian's win bumped their record up to 5-3. As for Harbor Light Christian, their victory bumped their record up to 14-2.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Monday as neither team is afraid to steal. Harbor Light Christian has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 5.9 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Traverse City Christian struggles in that department as they've been averaging 2.9 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Harbor Light Christian was able to grind out a solid win over Traverse City Christian in their previous meeting back in May of 2024, winning 8-5. Do the Swordsmen have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Sabres turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
