Spartans
| 04/21/26 vs Aliquippa | 17 |
| 04/21/26 @ Aliquippa | 26 |
| 04/16/26 @ New Castle | 0 |
| 04/14/26 vs Freedom Area | 5 |
| 04/13/26 @ Freedom Area | 4 |
| + 7 more games |
Laurel and Riverside are an even 4-4 against one another since April of 2016, but likely not for long. The Spartans will face off against the Panthers at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Laurel is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.8 runs per game this season.
Laurel's pitching crew heads into the matchup hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Tuesday. They put the hurt on Aliquippa with a sharp 17-0 victory. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Spartans.
Laurel got a massive performance out of Kolton Carlson, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs, two doubles, and two RBI. That's the most doubles Carlson has posted since back in April of 2025. The team also got some help courtesy of Jack Jones, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs, two doubles, and one stolen base.
Laurel hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. The team has now struck out at least three batters in four consecutive games.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Riverside, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Monday. They sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 5-4 win over Quaker Valley on Tuesday.
Matt Santillo made a splash while hitting and pitching. He didn't allow a single earned run while striking out eight over seven innings pitched. He has been consistent: he hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in six consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs, two doubles, and one stolen base. Those doubles were his first of the season.
In other batting news, Alex Weisz and Dylan Meyer did most of the damage at the plate: Weisz got on base in all three of his plate appearances with one double and one RBI, while Meyer went 1-for-2 with one run, one double, and one RBI. That double was Weisz's first of the season.
Laurel's record is now 5-7. As for Riverside, their record now sits at 8-5.
Thursday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Laurel has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .463. However, it's not like Riverside struggles in that department as they've averaged .449. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Laurel might still be hurting after the 8-2 defeat they got from Riverside in their previous matchup back in May of 2022. Can the Spartans avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
