Sun Valley Magnet is a perfect 3-0 against Valley Oaks CES since April of 2024 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Thursday. The Pioneers will venture away from home to face off against the Vanguards at 2:00 p.m. Sun Valley Magnet will be strutting in after a victory while Valley Oaks CES will be coming in after a loss.
Sun Valley Magnet is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. Everything went their way against Bert Corona Charter on Wednesday as they made off with an 18-4 win. The Pioneers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won six games by six runs or more this season.
Diego Loredo
| 04/30/25 vs Bert Corona Charter | 1 |
| 04/25/25 @ Triumph Charter | 1 |
| 04/21/25 @ Valor Academy | 1 |
| 04/07/25 vs Discovery | 3 |
| 04/05/25 @ Reseda | 2 |
| + 6 more games |
Diego Loredo was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching two innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. He also tossed no walks, which is notable because Sun Valley Magnet is 6-2 when he allows at most one walk, but 3-5 otherwise. Loredo was also stellar in the batter's box, going a perfect 2-for-2 with three RBI, two runs, and one triple. He is also on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as he's now snagged at least one in each of the last 11 games he's played.
In other batting news, Sun Valley Magnet let Manuel Marquez and Jesse Diaz run wild. Marquez went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one triple, while Diaz got on base in all four of his plate appearances with three runs and two RBI. That's the most RBI Diaz has posted since back in April of 2024. Manuel Baltazar also deserves some recognition as he scored his first runs of the season.
Sun Valley Magnet always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .743. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, Valley Oaks CES was not able to break out of their rough patch on Monday as the team picked up their seventh straight defeat. They took a 14-11 hit to the loss column at the hands of Discovery.
Andre Zuniga was huge while hitting and pitching even without the win. He struck out 11 batters over 3.2 innings while giving up three earned (and three unearned) runs off only two hits. Zuniga was also big at the plate, getting on base in three of his five plate appearances with three stolen bases and one run.
In other batting news, Justin Rendon made the most of his time at bat despite the final result and went 2-for-3 with four stolen bases, three runs, and one double. Miguel Hernandez was another key player, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with three stolen bases and two runs.
Sun Valley Magnet's victory was their seventh straight at home, which pushed their record up to 9-7. Those home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 10.7 runs over those games. As for Valley Oaks CES, their loss dropped their record down to 3-7.
Thursday's matchup will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Sun Valley Magnet hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .328. However, it's not like Valley Oaks CES struggles in that department as they've averaged .380. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Sun Valley Magnet took their victory against Valley Oaks CES when the teams last played back in April by a conclusive 10-0 score. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Pioneers since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
