Baseball Game Preview: Marin Academy Wildcats vs. Urban Blues

For the second straight game, Marin Academy will face off against Urban. The Wildcats will venture away from home to face off against the Blues at 3:30 p.m. on Friday. Marin Academy has now lost ten straight, leaving the team hunting for their first win since March 11.

Urban hit Marin Academy with a five-run first inning on Tuesday, which goes a long way in explaining the final result. The Wildcats fell 9-4 to the Blues.

For Urban's part, Aaron Knupp and Conor Darling made a splash no matter where they played. On the mound, Knupp pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Darling struck out nine batters over six innings while giving up four earned runs off four hits. Knupp also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because Urban is 2-1 when he allows at most one earned run, but 6-7 otherwise. At the plate, Knupp went 1-for-4 with one stolen base and one run, while Darling went 2-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.

In other batting news, Kaden Fox-Gabel was incredible, going a perfect 4-for-4 with three stolen bases, three RBI, and two runs. Those four hits gave him a new career-high. Benji Dawes was another key player, getting on base in three of his five plate appearances with three stolen bases and one run.

Urban was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .400. That's the best batting average they've posted all season.

Marin Academy's defeat dropped their record down to 3-12. As for Urban, the victory got them back to even at 8-8.

The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Friday as neither team is afraid to steal. Marin Academy has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Urban struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 5.9 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more. Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more baseball content.