Softball Game Preview: Orthopaedic Vipers vs. Annenberg Panthers

Orthopaedic is 9-1 against Annenberg since April of 2018 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Wednesday. The Vipers will take on the Panthers at 2:00 p.m. Orthopaedic is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 12.1 runs per game this season.

Orthopaedic is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. Everything went their way against Downtown Magnets on Monday as they made off with a 35-1 win. The Vipers have beaten the Suns the last three times they've met, but they better watch out: this was the closest the Suns has come to flipping the script.

Brianna Ramirez made a splash while hitting and pitching. She struck out eight batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and not a single walk). She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in all six of her plate appearances with three stolen bases, five RBI, and three runs. Those five RBI gave her a new career-high.

Elizabeth Ajin

Runs (Career)

04/21/25 @ Downtown Magnets	5
03/03/25 @ Fairfax	3
04/11/25 @ Jefferson	2
03/18/25 @ Santee	2
04/07/25 vs Central City Value	1

In other batting news, Elizabeth Ajin was a standout: she went 5-for-6 with one home run, seven stolen bases, and five runs. Those five runs gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Daniela Ceja, who got on base in five of her seven plate appearances with one home run, nine stolen bases, and five runs.

Orthopaedic always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .889. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.

Meanwhile, Annenberg lost 23-11 to USC-MAE two weeks ago. The Panthers have struggled against the Trojans recently, as the game was their ninth consecutive lost meeting.

Orthopaedic pushed their record up to 8-5 with the victory, which was their third straight on the road. The road wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 25.0 runs over those games. As for Annenberg, they now have a losing record of 1-2.

Orthopaedic took their victory against Annenberg in their previous matchup back in April of 2024 by a conclusive 27-1 score. Do the Vipers have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Panthers turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.