Softball Game Preview: Garces Memorial Rams vs. Orcutt Academy Spartans

The Garces Memorial Rams are taking a road trip to face off against the Orcutt Academy Spartans at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Garces Memorial is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.3 runs per game this season.

While Garces Memorial didn't have the best season last year (they finished 7-20), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They put the hurt on Shafter with a sharp 7-1 win on Wednesday. The Rams have beaten the Generals the last three times they've met, but they better watch out: this was the closest the Generals has come to flipping the script.

Jaiden Gutierrez

Earned Runs

03/19/25 vs Shafter	0
03/11/25 vs Wasco	1
03/10/25 @ Hanford West	1
03/04/25 vs Tehachapi	1
02/26/25 vs Mira Monte	1

Jaiden Gutierrez spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered a run (which was unearned) on two hits. She has been consistent : she hasn't given up more than one earned run in five consecutive appearances.

At the plate, Reese Bowles and Brooklyn Castro did most of the damage at the plate: Bowles scored two runs and stole Two bases. while going 2-for-3, while Castro scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-2. Bowles also brought in an RBI, marking her first of the season. Another player making a difference was Giuliana Martinez, who went 2-for-4 with three RBI.

Meanwhile, Orcutt Academy got the win against Atascadero on Thursday by a conclusive 8-2.

Lylah Garcia looked comfortable as she tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. That's the first time she hasn't allowed a single hit since back in March of 2024.

On the hitting side, Orcutt Academy saw eight different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Marissa Martinez, who scored a run while going 2-for-2. Sofia Murillo was another, scoring a run while going 2-for-3.

Orcutt Academy kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. That's the most hits they've posted since back in April of 2024.

Garces Memorial's victory was their fifth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 5-1. The wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.6 runs on average over those games. As for Orcutt Academy, their win (their first of the season) made their record 1-2.