The Master's Academy Patriots will venture away from home to face off against the Oxbridge Academy ThunderWolves at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Master's Academy is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.2 runs per game this season.
On Saturday, Master's Academy didn't have quite enough to beat Seffner Christian and fell 7-6.
Landon Alford made the most of his time at bat despite the final result and scored a run while going 2-for-2.
Oxbridge Academy never got on the board in their matchup back in March, but that sure wasn't the case in their game against Miami Country Day last Tuesday. They blew past the Spartans 16-4. Considering the ThunderWolves' hitters had been struggling lately, the high-scoring outing was a much-needed turnaround.
Carlo Vasquez made a big impact while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he struck out eight batters over 3.1 innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Those eight strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was even better at the plate, going 3-for-4 with one home run, four runs, and four RBI. Oxbridge Academy is 2-1 when Vasquez posts three or more RBI, but 1-10 otherwise.
In other batting news, Carson Bianco was a standout: he scored two runs while going 2-for-3. He is becoming a predictor of Oxbridge Academy's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 2-1 (and 1-10 when he doesn't). Another player making a difference was Blake Sibrecht, who went 1-for-4 with one triple, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Oxbridge Academy kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. That's a new trend for them: they were averaging 2.6 hits per game earlier this season, but in their last 15 contests they've averaged 9.2.
Oxbridge Academy's victory ended a four-game drought at home and bumped them up to 3-11. As for Master's Academy, they have traveled a rocky road recently, having lost three of their last four matches. That's put a noticeable dent in their 16-6 record this season.
Master's Academy's speedy runners might be the difference in Tuesday's game. The Patriots have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.9 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Oxbridge Academy, though, as they've been averaging only 1.3 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Master's Academy continue to outrun the ball?
Master's Academy came out on top in a nail-biter against Oxbridge Academy in their previous matchup back in March, sneaking past 1-0. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Patriots since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
