Sunnyside is 8-2 against Marana since March of 2018 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Thursday. The Blue Devils will head out to face off against the Tigers at 4:00 p.m. Sunnyside's pitching crew has only allowed 3.2 runs per game this season, so Marana's hitters will have their work cut out for them.
Tuesday just wasn't the day for Sunnyside's offense. They fell just short of Tucson High Magnet School by a score of 2-0 on Tuesday. Having soared to a lofty 15 runs in the game before, the Blue Devils' shutout was a dramatic turnaround.
Tatyana Vega
| 04/01/25 vs Tucson High Magnet School | 1 |
| 03/31/25 @ Buena | 1 |
| 03/25/25 @ Kofa | 2 |
| 03/22/25 vs Queen Creek | 0 |
| 03/20/25 vs Arizona College Prep | 1 |
| + 2 more games |
Tatyana Vega put in work while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out nine batters over seven innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off seven hits (and only one walk). She has been consistent : she hasn't given up more than two walks in seven consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in all four of her plate appearances.
Vega wasn't the only one making solid contact as three players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Vianney Cruz, who went 2-for-4 with one double.
Marana not only won on Tuesday, but they posted their biggest win since April 8, 2024. Everything went their way against Rincon/University as they made off with an 18-1 win. The Tigers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won eight games by six runs or more this season.
Like Sunnyside, Marana also got a great game from a two-way player: Hayden Christensen-Strand. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run while striking out nine over five innings pitched. Those nine strikeouts gave Christensen-Strand a new career-high. She was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two runs, one triple, and two RBI.
In other batting news, Bella Corona was incredible, scoring four runs and stealing a base while going 3-for-3. That's the most runs she has posted since back in March of 2024. Bella Sayre was another key player, going 4-for-5 with two runs, two doubles, and one triple.
Marana always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .676. They are a perfect 9-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
Marana's victory ended a four-game drought on the road and puts them at 13-8. As for Sunnyside, with the defeat, they broke their three-game winning streak and moved their record to 14-6-1.
Thursday's match will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Sunnyside hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .345. However, it's not like Marana struggles in that department as they've averaged .416. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Sunnyside beat Marana 4-1 when the teams last played back in April of 2024. Will the Blue Devils repeat their success, or do the Tigers have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
