vs
| 04/30/24 - Home | 8-19 L |
| 04/10/24 - Home | 12-9 W |
| 04/08/24 - Away | 11-6 W |
| 04/12/23 - Away | 2-1 W |
| 04/10/23 - Home | 4-1 W |
| + 5 more games |
Highland and Desert Ridge are an even 5-5 against one another since April of 2021, but likely not for long. The Hawks will take on the Jaguars at 6:00 p.m. on Monday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Highland's pitching crew heads into the game hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Thursday. Everything went their way against Higley as they made off with an 11-0 victory. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Hawks.
Cambria Chacon looked comfortable as she kept things locked down with no earned runs or hits over four innings pitched.
On the hitting side, MiaLani Ocampo and Karsyn Norton did most of the damage at the plate: Ocampo went 2-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and two RBI, while Norton scored three runs and stole two bases while going 4-for-4. That's the most hits Norton has posted since back in February. MadiLynn Bowen also deserves some recognition as she hit her first triple of the season.
Highland kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 17 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, Desert Ridge came tearing into Thursday's matchup with three straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 4.3 runs), and they left with even more momentum. They were the clear victors by a 15-4 margin over the Black Hawks. 15 seems to be a good number for the Jaguars as the team scooped up a win with the same number of runs in their previous game.
Novi Muffo looked comfortable as she pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in eight consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Elena Esquivel was a standout: she went a perfect 4-for-4 with three runs, three doubles, and three RBI. Another player making a difference was Jacee Larson, who went 3-for-4 with three runs, three doubles, and three RBI.
Highland's record is now 14-9. As for Desert Ridge, their record now sits at 16-6.
Monday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Highland has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .451. However, it's not like Desert Ridge struggles in that department as they've averaged .531. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Highland might still be hurting after the 19-8 defeat they got from Desert Ridge when the teams last played back in April of 2024. Can the Hawks avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
