Baseball Game Preview: Xavier Prep Saints vs. Shadow Hills Knights

Xavier Prep and Shadow Hills are an even 5-5 against one another since April of 2022, but likely not for long. The Saints will face off against the Knights at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Xavier Prep's pitching crew has only allowed 3.5 runs per game this season, so Shadow Hills' hitters will have their work cut out for them.

Having struggled with four defeats in a row, Xavier Prep turned things around against Chaminade on Tuesday. They never let the Eagles get on the board and left with a 3-0 win.

Zain Valdivia

Earned Runs

03/28/25 @ La Quinta	4
02/27/25 @ Lakeside	1

Zain Valdivia was a major factor no matter where he played. He didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits over four innings pitched. He also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because Xavier Prep is 7-2 when he allows at most one earned run, but 3-9 otherwise. Valdivia was also big at the plate, going a perfect 2-for-2 with one home run and two RBI. That's the most RBI he has posted since back in March.

Valdivia wasn't the only one making solid contact as three players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Julian Angulo, who went a perfect 1-for-1 with one double. Nathan Legarreta was another, getting on base in both of his plate appearances with two stolen bases.

Meanwhile, Shadow Hills was not able to break out of their rough patch on Tuesday as the team picked up their fourth straight loss. They lost 14-3 to Newbury Park. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest defeat the Knights have suffered since March 21st.

Shadow Hills' loss dropped their record down to 10-12. As for Xavier Prep, their victory bumped their record up to 10-11.

The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Wednesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Xavier Prep has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Shadow Hills struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 7.2 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.

Xavier Prep couldn't quite get it done against Shadow Hills in their previous matchup on April 4th as they fell 5-0. Can the Saints avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.