Southlands Christian is 0-6 against Western Christian since February of 2019 but things could change on Thursday. The Eagles will host the Fighting Lancers at 4:00 p.m. Southlands Christian knows how to get runs on the board -- the team has finished with ten runs or more in their past six matches -- so hopefully Western Christian likes a good challenge.
Last Tuesday, Southlands Christian made easy work of Calvary Chapel and carried off a 16-2 victory. Considering the Eagles have won 12 games by more than ten runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.
Daizia White was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out 11 batters over seven innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off four hits (and only one walk). She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than one walk in 12 consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 2-for-4.
In other batting news, Analisa Guerrero and Taya Marvel did most of the damage at the plate: Guerrero went 2-for-5 with one home run, three runs, and three RBI, while Marvel went 2-for-5 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. Another player making a difference was Julia Cerrillos, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with one triple, two RBI, and one run.
Southlands Christian was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .400. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .400 or higher in four consecutive contests.
Meanwhile, Western Christian was able to grind out a solid win over Capistrano Valley Christian on Tuesday, taking the game 10-6. The victory continues a trend for the Fighting Lancers in their matchups with the Eagles: they've now won five in a row.
Like Southlands Christian, Western Christian also got a great game from a two-way player: Kayden Quiroz. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit while striking out 11 over five innings pitched. Those 11 strikeouts gave Quiroz a new career-high. She was also big at the plate, firing off two home runs and four RBI while going 3-for-4.
In other batting news, Giada Partida was excellent, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 1-for-4. Savannah Lugo was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 1-for-4.
Southlands Christian has been performing incredibly well recently as they've won ten of their last 11 matchups. That's provided a nice bump to their 15-5 record this season. The wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.2 runs on average over those games. As for Western Christian, the victory got them back to even at 9-9.
Southlands Christian's speedy runners might be the difference in Thursday's game. The Eagles have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 2.8 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Western Christian, though, as they've been averaging only 1.1 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Southlands Christian continue to outrun the ball?
Southlands Christian might still be hurting after the 12-1 defeat they got from Western Christian in their previous meeting back in March of 2024. Can the Eagles avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
