The Valley Vikings will challenge the Albuquerque Academy Chargers at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty run totals in their previous games.
Albuquerque Academy will take on a team with plenty of momentum: Valley extended their winning streak to three on Tuesday. The Vikings came out on top against Bernalillo by a score of 10-6.
Zach Toledo was a major factor no matter where he played. He pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Toledo was also big at the plate, scoring two runs while going 1-for-4.
Anthony Chavez
| 03/12/25 vs Atrisco Heritage Academy | 4 |
| 03/11/25 vs St. Pius X | 4 |
| 04/15/25 vs Bernalillo | 3 |
| 04/08/25 vs Hope Christian | 1 |
| 03/25/25 @ Sandia | 1 |
| + 2 more games |
In other batting news, Anthony Chavez was incredible, going 2-for-3 with one home run, three stolen bases, and three runs. He also brought in three RBI, which is notable because Valley is undefeated when he posts at least three RBI, but 8-10 otherwise. Elias Saiz was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing a base while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances.
Valley always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .553. They are a perfect 4-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Albuquerque Academy, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Saturday. They blew past Los Alamos 11-3 on Tuesday. The result was nothing new for the Chargers, who have now won nine matchups by eight runs or more so far this season.
Like Valley, Albuquerque Academy also got a great game from a two-way player: Corbett Thomas. On the mound, he pitched five innings while giving up three earned runs off eight hits. Thomas has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than two walks in seven consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs while going 2-for-4. That's the most runs he has posted since back in March.
In other pitching news, Brian Valdez looked comfortable as he tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one hit in three consecutive appearances.
Thomas wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Matthew Delaney, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run and three RBI. That's the most RBI Delaney has posted since back in March. Another was AJ Lenhart, who scored a run while going 1-for-3.
Albuquerque Academy's win was their sixth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 12-9. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 10.3 runs over those games. As for Valley, they now have a winning record of 11-10.
Fans could be in store for some top-tier slugging on Friday. Valley hasn't had any problems when it comes to power this season, having averaged 0.6 home runs per game. However, it's not like Albuquerque Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging 0.7 home runs. With so much power on both teams, it'll be down to the pitchers to keep the mound locked down.
Valley came up short against Albuquerque Academy when the teams last played two weeks ago, falling 6-3. Will the Vikings have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
