The Ocean View Seahawks will venture away from home to challenge the Katella Knights at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Ocean View has given up an average of 8.8 runs per game this season, but Tuesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Ocean View is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They walked away with a 20-16 win over Westminster on Friday.
Ocean View let Galicia Pinedo and Emily Mayorga run wild. Pinedo went 4-for-5 with three RBI, two runs, and one triple, while Mayorga went 3-for-4 with one home run, three runs, and two RBI. That's the most runs Pinedo has posted since back in February. Another player making a difference was April Gil, who went 3-for-5 with three RBI and two runs.
They weren't the only ones making solid contact: Ocean View kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 21 hits. That's a new trend for them: they were averaging 4.9 hits per game earlier this season, but in their last 15 contests they've averaged 11.6.
Katella came out on top against Avalon on Thursday thanks in part to the team's impressive 11-run first inning. The Knights were the clear victors by a 15-2 margin over the Lancers. Considering the Knights have won five matchups by more than eight runs this season, Thursday's blowout was nothing new.
Dani Neville was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out eight batters over five innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off five hits. Neville was also stellar in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with one home run and five RBI. She has been hot recently, having posted at least one home run the last four times she's played.
In other batting news, Sophia Becerra was incredible, going 3-for-4 with three runs, three RBI, and one triple. Jackie Morelos was another key player, going 1-for-3 with two stolen bases, one run, and one RBI.
Ocean View pushed their record up to 7-11 with the victory, which was their third straight at home. The home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 15.7 runs over those games. As for Katella, their record now sits at 6-7.
Tuesday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Ocean View hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .319. However, it's not like Katella struggles in that department as they've averaged .369. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Ocean View was able to grind out a solid victory over Katella when the teams last played back in April of 2024, winning 9-5. Will the Seahawks repeat their success, or do the Knights have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
