The Kingman Academy Tigers will take on the Round Valley Elks at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
It was a proper cat-fight when Kingman Academy faced off against Benson on Saturday. The Tigers were the clear victors by an 11-5 margin over the Bobcats. The victory was nothing new for the Tigers as they're now sitting on seven straight.
Emily Mathys
| 05/03/25 vs Benson | 10 |
| 04/16/25 vs Mountainside | 9 |
| 04/11/25 @ Wickenburg | 8 |
| 04/07/25 vs Bagdad | 15 |
| 04/04/25 @ Glendale Prep Academy | 15 |
| 04/02/25 @ Mohave Accelerated | 8 |
Emily Mathys made a splash no matter where she played. On the mound, she struck out ten batters over seven innings while giving up five earned runs off seven hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than eight strikeouts in six consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with two doubles, one run, and one RBI.
In other batting news, Taylee Mote and Ava Sanders did most of the damage at the plate: Mote went 3-for-4 with one home run, three runs, and two doubles, while Sanders went 3-for-4 with one home run, three runs, and two RBI. That's the most doubles Mote has posted since back in March. Another player making a difference was Brady Sanders, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with three RBI and one run.
Kingman Academy lost a few balls and finished the game with two home runs. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now launched at least two home runs in three consecutive contests.
Meanwhile, with a playoff win on the line, Round Valley rose to the challenge on Saturday. They blew past the Pumas 13-5. Winning may never get old, but the Elks sure are getting used to it with their ninth in a row.
Like Kingman Academy, Round Valley also got a great game from a two-way player: Carla Arreola. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run while striking out nine over seven innings pitched. Arreola was also big at the plate, going 1-for-4 with one home run and two RBI.
In other batting news, Round Valley let Autum Webster and Ruth Wiltbank run wild. Webster went 2-for-4 with one home run, three runs, and two RBI, while Wiltbank went 3-for-4 with one home run, three runs, and two RBI. Kelci Walker was another key player, going 1-for-3 with one home run and two RBI.
Round Valley pushed their record up to 18-6 with the win, which was their ninth straight at home. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 14.9 runs over those games. As for Kingman Academy, their win bumped their record up to 21-4-1.
Tuesday's matchup will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Kingman Academy hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .476. However, it's not like Round Valley struggles in that department as they've averaged .415. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Kingman Academy might still be hurting after the 12-2 defeat they got from Round Valley in their previous matchup back in April of 2023. Will the Tigers have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
