Odyssey Institute is 9-1 against Tonopah Valley since March of 2016 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Monday. The Minotaur will take on the Phoenix at 3:45 p.m. After the two teams made easy work of their previous opponents, one won't be so lucky on Monday.
Odyssey Institute barely beat Parker the last time the pair played, but that sure wasn't the case this time around. The Minotaur were the clear victors by a 7-1 margin over the Broncs on Saturday.
Nomar Diaz
| 04/26/25 @ Parker | 4 |
| 04/14/25 vs ALA - West Foothills | 3 |
| 04/09/25 vs Seton Catholic | 2 |
| 03/25/25 @ Yuma Catholic | 2 |
| 02/27/25 vs Arizona Lutheran Academy | 2 |
Nomar Diaz made a splash while hitting and pitching. He didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits over 4.1 innings pitched. The dominant performance also gave him a new career-high in strikeouts (four). He was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with three stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI. He has become a key player for Odyssey Institute: the team is 4-0-1 when he posts at least two runs, but 4-10 otherwise.
Diaz wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Justin Bennett, who went 1-for-3 with two runs and one stolen base. Odyssey Institute is undefeated when Bennett posts two or more runs, but 4-10-1 otherwise. Jaden Lopez also deserves some recognition as he snagged his first stolen base of the season.
Tonopah Valley never got on the board in their matchup on Wednesday, but that sure wasn't the case in their game against Arizona Lutheran Academy on Friday. Their pitcher stepped up to hand the Coyotes a 10-0 shutout. Considering the Phoenix have won eight contests by more than five runs this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.
Like Odyssey Institute, Tonopah Valley also got a great game from a two-way player: Connor Hart. He looked comfortable on the mound, keeping things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out nine over five innings pitched. Hart has been consistent: he hasn't given up more than two walks in eight consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs, two RBI, and one double.
In other batting news, Joshua Amaral was a standout: he went a perfect 3-for-3 with four RBI, one triple, and one run. Caleb Procunier was another key player, going a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Tonopah Valley always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .542. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Arizona Lutheran Academy only posted an OBP of .176.
The win got Tonopah Valley back to even at 11-11-1. As for Odyssey Institute, their record now sits at 8-10-1.
Odyssey Institute might still be hurting after the 7-1 loss they got from Tonopah Valley in their previous matchup back in March. Can the Minotaur avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
