Softball Game Preview: Albuquerque Academy Chargers vs. Manzano Monarchs

The Albuquerque Academy Chargers will face off against the Manzano Monarchs at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Albuquerque Academy is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.7 runs per game this season.

Albuquerque Academy took a loss when they played away from home on Friday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Tuesday. They never let Del Norte get on the board and left with a 7-0 victory.

Melissa Purcella

Batters Struck Out

04/08/25 vs Del Norte	16
04/04/25 @ Hope Christian	10
04/02/25 vs Valley	14
03/27/25 @ Grants	15
03/22/25 @ Piedra Vista	1
+ 6 more games

Melissa Purcella was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit while striking out 16 over seven innings pitched. With that strong performance, she is now averaging an impressive 5.7 strikeouts per game. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Sydney Koranyi, who scored a run and stole a base while going 3-for-4. Another player making a difference was Callia Jesurun, who went 1-for-4 with one triple, one run, and one RBI.

Meanwhile, Monday just wasn't the day for Manzano's offense. They might be feeling deja-vu: they lost 21-0 to La Cueva, which was the same score (and result) they got the week prior. The Monarchs have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.

Manzano's defeat dropped their record down to 4-12. As for Albuquerque Academy, the win got them back to even at 8-8.

Thursday's match might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Albuquerque Academy has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .457. However, it's not like Manzano struggles in that department as they've averaged .449. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.

Albuquerque Academy suffered a grim 9-1 defeat to Manzano in their previous meeting back in April of 2018. Can the Chargers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.