Pleasant Valley is 0-6 against Nazareth Area since April of 2017 but things could change on Thursday. The Bears will be playing in front of their home fans against the Blue Eagles at 11:00 a.m. Pleasant Valley is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 11.5 runs per game this season.
Pleasant Valley is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They blew past East Stroudsburg South 24-14 on Tuesday. The Bears haven't had any issues with the Cavaliers recently, as the game was their sixth consecutive victory against them.
Brianca Pridham
| 04/15/25 @ East Stroudsburg South | 5 |
| 04/14/25 @ Louis E. Dieruff | 4 |
| 04/18/24 vs Bethlehem Catholic | 4 |
| 03/19/24 @ East Stroudsburg North | 4 |
| 03/19/25 vs East Stroudsburg North | 3 |
Brianca Pridham was incredible, firing off three home runs, ten RBI, and four runs while going 5-for-5. Those five hits gave her a new career-high. Emma DePalma was another key player, getting on base in four of her five plate appearances with one home run, four runs, and three RBI.
Pleasant Valley was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .528. They are 5-1 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
For whatever reason, it's the away team that's had the advantage when Nazareth Area and Whitehall meet (four straight games heading into this one) and that held true again on Tuesday. The Blue Eagles walked away with a 7-2 win over the Zephyrs.
Kylie Grover spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned runs on four hits and racked up nine Ks. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in four consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Nazareth Area let Alina Weaver and Emma Infantino run wild. Weaver went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases and two RBI, while Infantino scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-3. Another player making a difference was Taylor Friel, who scored a run while going 1-for-3.
Pleasant Valley's victory bumped their record up to 7-4. As for Nazareth Area, their win bumped their record up to 8-2.
Thursday's match might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Pleasant Valley has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .512. However, it's not like Nazareth Area struggles in that department as they've averaged .477. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Pleasant Valley couldn't quite get it done against Nazareth Area when the teams last played back in April of 2024 as they fell 5-2. Will the Bears have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other softball content.
