Softball Game Preview: Orcutt Academy Spartans vs. Hoover Patriots

The Orcutt Academy Spartans will take on the Hoover Patriots at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Both come into the match bolstered by wins in their previous matches.

Orcutt Academy is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Tuesday. They put the hurt on California City with a sharp 14-0 victory. The Spartans' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.

Meanwhile, Hoover waltzed into their game on Tuesday with 12 straight wins... but they left with 13. They came within a single run of losing the streak, but they secured a 5-4 W against the Titans. That's two games straight that the Patriots have won by just one run.

Hazel Martinez made a big impact no matter where she played. She struck out 11 batters over seven innings while giving up just one earned (and three unearned) runs off five hits (and only one walk). She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 14 consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in two of her three plate appearances with two stolen bases and one run.

In other batting news, Layla Jimenez was excellent, going 1-for-3 with three stolen bases, one run, and one RBI. Those three stolen bases gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Samantha Vasquez, who went 1-for-3 with two RBI and one run.

Hoover's win was their seventh straight at home, which pushed their record up to 17-5. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.1 runs over those games. As for Orcutt Academy, they are on a roll lately: they've won six of their last eight contests. That's provided a massive bump to their 13-11-1 record this season.