Baseball Game Preview: Doherty Spartans vs. Vista Ridge Wolves

For the second straight game, Doherty will face off against Vista Ridge. The Spartans will look to defend their home field on Thursday against the Wolves at 4:00 p.m. Doherty is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.1 runs per game this season.

On Tuesday, Doherty needed a bit of extra time to put away Vista Ridge. They narrowly escaped with a win as the team sidled past the Wolves 3-2. The home team had taken home the W every time these teams have met since May 12, 2022, but that streak is no more.

Derek Graham

Earned Runs

03/27/25 vs Tualatin	6
04/15/25 vs Pueblo West	4
03/11/25 vs Lewis-Palmer	3
04/01/25 vs Rampart	2
03/17/25 vs Air Academy	2
+ 1 more games

Derek Graham spent all eight innings on the mound, and it's clear why: he surrendered only one earned (and one unearned) run on four hits and racked up eight Ks. He is becoming a predictor of Doherty's success: when he allows at most two earned runs the team is 3-1 (and 6-8 when he doesn't).

The victory got Doherty back to even at 9-9. As for Vista Ridge, they have traveled a rocky road recently, having lost six of their last eight games. That's put a noticeable dent in their 5-10 record this season.