The Palisades Dolphins will challenge the Van Nuys Wolves at 3:00 p.m. on Friday. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, these teams will really light up the scoreboard.
Palisades is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Wednesday. They blew past Hollywood 21-12. The Dolphins' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Evie Swerdlow made a splash no matter where she played. On the mound, she struck out ten batters over six innings while giving up four earned (and eight unearned) runs off 13 hits. Those ten strikeouts gave her a new career-high. She was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in four of her five plate appearances with one home run, three runs, and one stolen base. She has been hot, having posted at least one stolen base the last five times she's played.
Maylah Cruz
| 05/20/26 vs Hollywood | 3 |
| 05/11/26 vs Westchester | 2 |
| 05/06/26 @ Fairfax | 2 |
| 04/07/25 @ Fairfax | 2 |
| 05/04/26 vs Fairfax | 1 |
In other batting news, Palisades got a massive performance out of Maylah Cruz, who got on base in four of her six plate appearances with five stolen bases, four runs, and three RBI. Those three RBI gave Cruz a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Chloe Kibble, who got on base in four of her five plate appearances with one home run, two stolen bases, and three runs.
Palisades kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. They are 2-1 when they post 11 or more hits.
Meanwhile, Van Nuys entered their tilt with Bell on Wednesday with two consecutive wins but they'll enter their next game with three. They came within a single run of losing the streak, but they secured a 20-19 W against the Eagles. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Wolves have posted since March 18th.
Nadia Ubaldo was a standout: she went 3-for-6 with two stolen bases, five RBI, and three runs. Angelina Volpe was another key player, getting on base in all seven of her plate appearances with three stolen bases, three runs, and one RBI.
Van Nuys' victory bumped their record up to 12-9. As for Palisades, their win bumped their record up to 5-9.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Friday as neither team is afraid to steal. Palisades has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 4.5 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Van Nuys struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.3 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Palisades got the 'W' when the teams last played back in May of 2017 against Van Nuys by a conclusive 10-0 score. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Dolphins since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
