Bishop Diego hasn't had much luck against Santa Clara recently, but that could start to change on Thursday. The Bishop Diego Cardinals will face off against the Santa Clara Saints at 4:00 p.m. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty run totals in their previous games.
Bishop Diego had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 16-run drubbing they dealt Valley Christian Academy on Monday. Bishop Diego never let Valley Christian Academy get on the board and left with a 16-0 win. The Cardinals' victory was nothing new given the team hasn't lost yet this season.
Madeline Ferries and Anna Fittipaldi made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, Ferries struck out six batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and not a single walk). Meanwhile, Fittipaldi tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. That's the most strikeouts Ferries has posted since back in March of 2024. At the plate, Ferries scored a run while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances, while Fittipaldi scored a run and stole a base while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances. That run was Ferries' first of the season.
Penny Carroll
| 03/10/25 vs Valley Christian Academy | 3 |
| 02/21/25 vs Oakwood | 2 |
| 04/08/24 @ Carpinteria | 2 |
| 02/27/24 @ Santa Ynez | 2 |
In other batting news, Tara Gregson and Penny Carroll did most of the damage at the plate: Gregson went a perfect 3-for-3 with four RBI, two runs, and one double, while Carroll scored three runs while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances. The dominant performance gave Carroll a new career-high in runs. Keke Flores was another key player, scoring two runs while going 2-for-2.
Bishop Diego was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .500. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .320 or higher every time they've taken the field this season.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Santa Clara). They put the hurt on Carpinteria with a sharp 20-0 win last Monday. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the team's high-flying offense, the game also marked the team's biggest victory of the season.
Kadyn Sanchez was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she kept things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out 14 over five innings pitched. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two hits any time she's pitched this season. She was also big at the plate, scoring four runs while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances.
In other batting news, Sophia Romero was incredible, scoring four runs and stealing Four bases. while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances. Another player making a difference was Marcie Acosta, who went 1-for-3 with four RBI, two runs, and one stolen base.
Santa Clara's win ended a five-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 3-1. As for Bishop Diego, they pushed their record up to 4-0 with the victory, which was their third straight at home.
Bishop Diego might still be hurting after the 14-2 defeat they got from Santa Clara in their previous meeting back in April of 2024. Can Bishop Diego avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
