Valley is 8-2 against Bernalillo since April of 2019 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Tuesday. The Vikings will be playing at home against the Spartans at 4:00 p.m. Valley is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.2 runs per game this season.
Valley not only won on Thursday, but they posted their biggest win since February 25th. They were the clear victors by a 14-2 margin over Del Norte. The Vikings haven't had any issues with the Knights recently, as the game was their eighth consecutive victory against them.
Anthony Chavez
| 04/10/25 @ Del Norte | 5 |
| 04/02/25 @ Albuquerque Academy | 0 |
| 03/24/25 vs Manzano | 1 |
| 03/19/25 @ Volcano Vista | 2 |
| 04/30/24 vs Del Norte | 10 |
Anthony Chavez made a splash no matter where he played. On the mound, he pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. What's more, he posted five strikeouts, the most he's had since back in April of 2024. He was also big at the plate, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 1-for-3. He is becoming a predictor of Valley's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 7-10 when he doesn't).
In other pitching news, Estevan Fernandez looked comfortable as he tossed three innings while giving up just one earned run off three hits. He has become a key player for Valley: the team is undefeated when he allows at most one earned run, but 7-10 otherwise.
Back at the plate, Elias Saiz was a standout: he scored four runs and stole two bases while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances. Those four runs gave him a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Thomas Velarde, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with one home run, two runs, and two RBI.
Valley was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .409. They are a perfect 4-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Meanwhile, Bernalillo was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their third straight defeat. They were a single run away from ending the streak, but they lost a 2-1 heartbreaker at the hands of Albuquerque Academy.
Uriel Castro spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: he surrendered just two earned runs on nine hits. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Bernalillo saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Christian Sanchez, who scored a run while going 2-for-3.
The win got Valley back to even at 10-10. As for Bernalillo, they now have a losing record of 9-10.
Fans could be in store for some top-tier slugging on Tuesday. Valley hasn't had any problems when it comes to power this season, having averaged 0.6 home runs per game. However, it's not like Bernalillo struggles in that department as they've been averaging 0.6 home runs. With so much power on both teams, it'll be down to the pitchers to keep the mound locked down.
Valley came out on top in a nail-biter against Bernalillo in their previous matchup back in May of 2024, sneaking past 3-2. Do the Vikings have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Spartans turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
