Softball Game Preview: Ventura Cougars vs. Van Nuys Wolves

The Ventura Cougars are taking a road trip to square off against the Van Nuys Wolves at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Ventura will aim to continue their four-game streak of scoring more runs each matchup than the last.

Ventura is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They blew past Pacifica 20-10 on Tuesday. The Cougars haven't had any issues with the Tritons recently, as the game was their ninth consecutive victory against them.

Makayla Halley

Runs (Career)

04/01/25 vs Pacifica	4
03/20/25 @ Nordhoff	2
04/24/24 @ Santa Barbara	2
03/05/24 @ Buena	2
02/17/24 vs Santa Clara	2

Ventura got a massive performance out of Makayla Halley, who scored four runs and stole a base while going 3-for-3. Those four runs gave Halley a new career-high. Olivia Marsing also deserves some recognition as she hit her first doubles of the season.

Ventura hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. The team has now struck out at least five strikeouts batters in ten consecutive games.

Van Nuys hadn't beaten Canoga Park on the road since May 17, 2021 but that history sure didn't bother them on Friday. The Wolves put the hurt on the Hunters with a sharp 17-2 win. That 15 run margin sets a new team best for the Wolves this season.

ARIEL PUENTE made a big impact no matter where she played. On the mound, she struck out 13 batters over five innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off three hits (and only one walk). PUENTE was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in four of her five plate appearances with four runs, one triple, and one RBI.

In other batting news, GRECIA BARRERA was a standout: she scored four runs while going 4-for-4. ALISA LARA was another key player, scoring two runs while going 2-for-3.

Ventura pushed their record up to 11-2 with the victory, which was their fourth straight at home. The home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 10.8 runs over those games. As for Van Nuys, their victory ended a three-game drought on the road and puts them at 3-5.