The Round Valley Elks will take on the Superior Panthers in a tournament on Thursday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Round Valley took a loss when they played away from home on Monday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Tuesday. They never let Valley get on the board and left with a 20-0 win. The high-scoring effort was just what the Elks needed considering they were shut out in their previous matchup.
Ryan Jaramillo
| 03/17/26 vs Valley | 0 |
| 03/12/26 @ Tonopah Valley | 2 |
| 03/11/26 vs ALA - Ironwood | 2 |
Ryan Jaramillo made a splash no matter where she played. On the mound, she kept things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out ten over four innings pitched. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two hits in three consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and two RBI. That home run marked the first that she has launched this season.
In other batting news, Kelci Walker was incredible, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs, two doubles, and one triple. She has been hot recently, having posted at least one triple the last three times she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Ruth Wiltbank, who went 1-for-2 with three runs, one triple, and one stolen base.
Meanwhile, Superior put another one in the bag on Tuesday to keep their undefeated season alive. They were the clear victors by a 17-2 margin over Miami. The home team had taken home the W every time these teams have met since March 1, 2022, but that streak is no more.
Like Round Valley, Superior also got a great game from a two-way player: Alyna Cruz. On the mound, Cruz tossed five innings while giving up just two earned runs off four hits. Meanwhile, Lessenia Ramirez tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. At bat, Cruz went 3-for-5 with two RBI and one double, while Ramirez went 2-for-5 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
In other batting news, Barbie Ybarra and Stephanie Lopez did most of the damage at the plate: Ybarra got on base in three of her five plate appearances with two stolen bases, three runs, and two RBI, while Lopez went 4-for-5 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI. Those four hits gave Lopez a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Ashley Lopez, who earned one RBI, three runs, and three stolen bases.
Superior was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .378. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Miami only posted a batting average of .182.
Round Valley's victory bumped their record up to 7-1. As for Superior, their win bumped their record up to 6-0-1.
Fans could be in store for some top-tier slugging on Thursday. Round Valley hasn't had any problems when it comes to power this season, having averaged 1 home runs per game. However, it's not like Superior struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 0.9 home runs. With so much power on both teams, it'll be down to the pitchers to keep the mound locked down.
Round Valley suffered a grim 15-7 defeat to Superior when the teams last played back in April of 2019. Will the Elks have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more softball content.
