The Valhalla Norsemen will take on the Helix Highlanders at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Valhalla 3.8, Helix 3.4) so any runs scored will be well earned.
Valhalla is headed into Thursday's match looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their third straight game on Wednesday. They were a single run away from ending the streak, but they lost a 4-3 heartbreaker at the hands of West Hills.
Devyn Mack spent all 10.1 innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned (and two unearned) runs on eight hits.
On the hitting side, Lily Alvarado made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 2-for-4 with two RBI and one double. That double was her first of the season. Natalia Marco was another key player, going 1-for-6 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Helix got the win against Grossmont on Wednesday by a conclusive 15-3. The result was nothing new for the Highlanders, who have now won nine contests by six runs or more so far this season.
Katelyn Woodland looked comfortable as she pitched three innings while giving up just one earned run off five hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Nikaylah Domingo and Clarissa Torres did most of the damage at the plate: Domingo went 2-for-3 with four RBI, one run, and one double, while Torres got on base in three of her four plate appearances with four runs and one RBI. Those four RBI gave Domingo a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Ta'Tiannah Wright, who went 2-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Helix hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. The team has now struck out at least five batters in nine consecutive games.
Helix has been performing well recently as they've won seven of their last nine matches. That's provided a nice bump to their 11-5 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.2 runs on average over those games. As for Valhalla, their defeat dropped their record down to 7-14.
Valhalla was able to grind out a solid victory over Helix when the teams last played back in May of 2024, winning 10-6. Will the Norsemen repeat their success, or do the Highlanders have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
