The Shadow Ridge Mustangs will take on the Palo Verde Panthers at 3:30 p.m. on Monday. Each of these teams will be battling to keep a seven-game winning streak alive.
Shadow Ridge is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of Nevada's top teams: Bishop Gorman, who was ranked 12th at the time (Shadow Ridge was ranked second). Shadow Ridge's pitcher stepped up to hand Bishop Gorman a 12-0 shutout on Thursday. Considering the Mustangs have won five games by more than five runs this season, Thursday's blowout was nothing new.
The result came thanks to Katelynn Quidato's shutout, as she gave up just five hits and racked up six Ks. Those hits marked the first that she allowed this season.
On the hitting side, Alina Pavlovich was incredible, firing off two home runs and three RBI while going 3-for-4. Those two home runs gave her a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Aleana Aionaaka, who scored two runs while going 4-for-5.
Shadow Ridge was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .472. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Bishop Gorman only posted a batting average of .296.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Palo Verde). They blew past Faith Lutheran 22-1 on Thursday. The Panthers are also no stranger to big wins: their blowout was the fifth match they've won by 6+ runs this season.
Ava Koenig and Haley Kearnes made a big impact while hitting and pitching. On the mound, Koenig tossed two innings while giving up just one earned run off one hit. Meanwhile, Kearnes tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. What's more, she gave up only zero walks, the fewest she's had since back in April of 2024. At the plate, Koenig scored a run while going 1-for-3, while Kearnes scored four runs while going 2-for-3.
In other batting news, Palo Verde let Taylor Johns and Halle Law run wild. Johns scored four runs and stole a base while going 3-for-4, while Law went 3-for-4 with one home run, five RBI, and one double. Johns has been hot recently, having also posted at least one home run the last three times she's played. Another player making a difference was Paige Brandes, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with four RBI and one triple.
Palo Verde pushed their record up to 7-0 with the win, which was their eighth straight on the road dating back to last season. As for Shadow Ridge, their victory bumped their record up to 8-1.
Monday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Shadow Ridge has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .513. However, it's not like Palo Verde struggles in that department as they've averaged .472. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance. Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
