Baseball Game Preview: Valley Academy of Arts & Sciences Vipers vs. Grant Lancers

For the second straight game, Valley Academy of Arts & Sciences will face off against Grant. The Vipers will square off against the Lancers at 2:30 p.m. on Friday. Valley Academy of Arts & Sciences hasn't scored more than two runs for six games straight, a trend the team is eager to reverse.

Valley Academy of Arts & Sciences lost 9-1 to Grant on Wednesday.

For Grant's part, Matthew Gonzalez and Carson Rinka were a major factor no matter where they played. Throwing, Gonzalez didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit while striking out ten over six innings pitched. Meanwhile, Rinka tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Gonzalez has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in four consecutive appearances. At bat, Gonzalez scored two runs while going 2-for-4, while Rinka went 2-for-4 with four RBI, two runs, and two doubles. Those two doubles gave Rinka a new career-high.

In other batting news, Carlos Garcia was incredible, going a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs and one triple. That triple was his first of the season. Another player making a difference was Fernando Padilla, who went 2-for-4 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one double.

Grant was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .379. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .355 or higher in three consecutive matchups.

Grant's record is now 7-3. As for Valley Academy of Arts & Sciences, their defeat dropped their record down to 1-6.