The Valley Lutheran Flames will challenge the Desert Heights Prep Yote at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. Valley Lutheran has given up an average of 11.7 runs per game this season, but Saturday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Valley Lutheran is headed into Saturday's game looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their third straight game on Thursday. They came up short against Anthem Prep, falling 11-1.
Valley Lutheran saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Brennan Larson, who went 2-for-3 with two doubles.
Meanwhile, Desert Heights Prep never let their opponents score on Wednesday. Everything went their way against Salome as they made off with a 12-0 victory. Considering the Yote have won six matches by more than six runs this season, Wednesday's blowout was nothing new.
Kyson Kobbe was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out ten over five innings pitched. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with three RBI, one run, and one double.
In other batting news, Desert Heights Prep let Josh Orozco and Jesse Aguon run wild. Orozco went 2-for-3 with four RBI, one stolen base, and one run, while Aguon went 3-for-4 with two stolen bases, three runs, and one double. That's the most hits Orozco has posted since back in February. Cayle Haskell was another key player, going 1-for-4 with two stolen bases and three runs.
Desert Heights Prep pushed their record up to 9-2-1 with the win, which was their third straight on the road. The road victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.0 runs on average over those games. As for Valley Lutheran, their defeat dropped their record down to 3-7.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Saturday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Valley Lutheran has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.3 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Desert Heights Prep struggles in that department as they've been averaging 11.4 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Valley Lutheran suffered a grim 12-0 defeat to Desert Heights Prep in their previous meeting back in March. Will the Flames have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more baseball content.
