Softball Game Preview: Compton Early College Rising Phoenix vs. Lennox Academy Panthers

Compton Early College is 0-3 against Lennox Academy since March of 2024 but things could change on Thursday. The Rising Phoenix will head out to square off against the Panthers at 3:30 p.m. Given that the two teams suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this contest.

Compton Early College is headed into Thursday's game looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their third straight game on Tuesday. They were a single run away from ending the streak, but they lost a 9-8 heartbreaker at the hands of Dominguez.

Meanwhile, Lennox Academy fought the good fight in their extra-innings matchup against Hawthorne on Tuesday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Cougars by a score of 5-4.

Valeria Lopez was huge no matter where she played even without the win. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching seven innings while giving up just two earned (and three unearned) runs off seven hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 1-for-4.

Lopez wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Valerie Lozano-Prado, who went 1-for-4 with one triple, one run, and one RBI. That triple marked the first that Lozano-Prado hit this season. Another was Ziurell Ruiz, who went 2-for-4 with one stolen base and one RBI.

Lennox Academy's defeat ended a three-game streak of away wins and brought them to 9-6. As for Compton Early College, their loss dropped their record down to 11-4.

Compton Early College might still be hurting after the 12-5 defeat they got from Lennox Academy in their previous meeting on Thursday. Can the Rising Phoenix avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.