Baseball Recap: Norco Find Success

Cougars

Previous 4 Games

04/02/25 vs Temecula Valley	8-0
04/01/25 vs Downers Grove South	8-0
03/29/25 vs Los Osos	6-0
03/25/25 @ Arlington	1-0

Norco put their dominant pitchers on display in the team's fourth consecutive shutout on Wednesday. They didn't even let the Temecula Valley Golden Bears on the board, marking the Cougars' second-straight 8-0 shutout. The win continues a trend for the Cougars in their matchups with the Golden Bears: they've now won four in a row.

Jordan Ayala was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He didn't allow a single earned run over five innings pitched. He also tossed no walks, which is notable because Norco is 3-1 when he allows at most one walk, but 4-5 otherwise. Ayala was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run while going 2-for-3. That's the most hits he has posted since back in February.

In other pitching news, Vincent Rodriquez looked comfortable as he tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two hits any time he's pitched this season.

Back at the plate, Dylan Seward was incredible, going 3-for-4 with one home run, three runs, and four RBI. That's the most hits he has posted since back in April of 2024. Ryan Farias also deserves some recognition as he snagged his first stolen base of the season.

Norco kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 13 hits. That's a new trend for them: they were averaging 5.4 hits per game earlier this season, but in their last 15 matchups they've averaged 8.8.

Norco now has a winning record of 7-6. As for Temecula Valley, they moved to 7-2 with that loss, which also ended their seven-game winning streak.

Norco and Temecula Valley should be looking forward to their upcoming games as both have a sizable advantage in the MaxPreps California Rankings. The Cougars (ranked 14th) will meet Bonita (ranked 235th) at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. Both teams are headed into the matchup with plenty of momentum (Norco has won three straight at home, while the Bearcats won four straight on the road), something that'll have to change. Meanwhile, Temecula Valley will square off against Santiago at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday with a big rank advantage (31 vs. 90).