The Hanford Falcons will square off against the Hermiston Bulldogs at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Hanford gave up the first runs on Friday, but they didn't let that get them down. They were the clear victors by a 17-8 margin over Kennewick. The victory was familiar territory for the Falcons, who have now won five matchups in a row.
Neve Jimenez was a standout: she went 3-for-5 with one home run, three runs, and four RBI. That's the most RBI she has posted since back in April of 2024. Haylee Velasco was another key player, scoring three runs and stealing two bases while going 4-for-6.
Jimenez wasn't the only one working in the hit department: Hanford kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 20 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least 11 hits in five consecutive contests.
While Hermiston didn't have the best season last year (they finished 8-15), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They put the hurt on Pasco with a sharp 22-3 win on Friday. The victory continues a trend for Hermiston in their matchups with Pasco: they've now won five in a row.
Piper Roberts made a splash while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, tossing two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. She has been consistent : she hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-2 with one home run and three RBI.
In other batting news, Hermiston got a massive performance out of Kenley Venoy, who got on base in four of her five plate appearances with one home run, three runs, and three RBI. Another player making a difference was Mya Hallman, who scored three runs and stole a base while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances.
Hanford's win was their third straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 7-1. The victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.7 runs over those games. As for Hermiston, their win bumped their record up to 5-2.
Tuesday's game might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Hanford has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .496. However, it's not like Hermiston struggles in that department as they've averaged .593. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Hanford took their victory against Hermiston in their previous meeting on Tuesday by a conclusive 11-1. Will Hanford repeat their success, or does Hermiston has a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
