San Luis Obispo Classical Academy is 0-5 against Valley Christian Academy since March of 2023 but things could change on Tuesday. The Grizzlies will challenge the Lions at 4:30 p.m. San Luis Obispo Classical Academy is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.8 runs per game this season.
San Luis Obispo Classical Academy barely beat Shandon the last time the pair played, but that sure wasn't the case this time around. The Grizzlies blew past the Outlaws 15-3 on Friday. The win continues a trend for the Grizzlies in their matchups with the Outlaws: they've now won three in a row.
Luke Keefe
| 05/02/25 @ Shandon | 3 |
| 04/04/25 vs Shandon | 2 |
| 04/30/25 vs Laton | 1 |
| 04/25/25 @ Coast Union | 1 |
| 04/22/25 @ Laton | 1 |
Luke Keefe was a standout: he went 3-for-4 with three stolen bases, three RBI, and two runs. Those three stolen bases gave him a new career-high. Jayden Spelbring also deserves some recognition as he launched his first home run of the season.
They weren't the only ones making solid contact: San Luis Obispo Classical Academy kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 14 hits. That's a new trend for them: they were averaging 5 hits per game earlier this season, but in their last 15 matchups they've averaged 9.6.
Meanwhile, Valley Christian Academy came tearing into Friday's game with six straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 13 runs), and they left with even more momentum. They came within a single run of losing the streak, but they secured a 7-6 W against the Conquerors.
Chase Barretto and Samuel Kramer made a big impact no matter where they played. On the mound, Barretto pitched four innings while giving up just one earned run off four hits. Meanwhile, Kramer struck out seven batters over three innings while giving up just one earned (and four unearned) runs off five hits. Barretto has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in four consecutive appearances. At bat, Barretto went a perfect 4-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI, while Kramer got on base in three of his four plate appearances with one stolen base and one run.
They weren't the only ones making solid contact as four players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Torin Ellis, who went 2-for-5 with one stolen base and one RBI. He is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as he's now snagged at least one in each of the last five games he's played. Tomas Kramer was another, going 2-for-4 with one run and one double.
Valley Christian Academy's victory was their fourth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 9-5. Those home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.8 runs on average over those games. As for San Luis Obispo Classical Academy, the victory was their first on the road , bumping their record up to 3-9-1.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. San Luis Obispo Classical Academy has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Valley Christian Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.1 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
San Luis Obispo Classical Academy suffered a grim 20-2 defeat to Valley Christian Academy in their previous meeting back in April. Can the Grizzlies avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
