The Amundsen Vikings will take on the Kennedy Crusaders at 4:45 p.m. on Monday. Amundsen has given up an average of 8.6 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Amundsen is coming in off a wild two-game stretch: after soaring to ten runs on Friday, they were much more limited against Chicago Hope Academy on Saturday. They lost 12-1 to Chicago Hope Academy.
Amundsen saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Shea O'Conor, who went a perfect 1-for-1 with one double and one RBI.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Kennedy, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Friday. Everything went their way against Lindblom on Saturday as they made off with an 11-4 victory. Considering the Crusaders have won 12 matches by more than five runs this season, Saturday's blowout was nothing new.
Alec Mendoza made a big impact no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing two innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits. He has been consistent: he hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with three stolen bases, one run, and one RBI. That's the most stolen bases he has posted since back in April.
In other pitching news, Abraham Prieto looked comfortable as he tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits.
Back at the plate, Kennedy let Mason Rychetsky and Jaycob Solorio run wild. Rychetsky got on base in all four of his plate appearances with six stolen bases and four runs, while Solorio got on base in all four of his plate appearances with three stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI. Those four runs gave Rychetsky a new career-high. Nicholas Gallas was another key player, going 1-for-3 with three RBI, one run, and one double.
Kennedy always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .600. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Lindblom only posted an OBP of .424.
Kennedy has been performing incredibly well recently as they've won 12 of their last 13 games. That's provided a nice bump to their 21-8 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 8.1 runs over those games. As for Amundsen, their loss dropped their record down to 7-20.
Amundsen took their victory against Kennedy in their previous matchup back in March by a conclusive 15-4 score. Will the Vikings repeat their success, or do the Crusaders have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
