Academy for Academic Excellence is 9-1 against Silver Valley since March of 2019 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Friday. The Knights will host the Trojans at 3:15 p.m. Academy for Academic Excellence is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.8 runs per game this season.
Academy for Academic Excellence is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. Everything went their way against Victor Valley Christian on Tuesday as they made off with a 19-5 win. The victory continues a trend for the Knights in their matchups with the Royals: they've now won eight in a row.
Hunter Dodge was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he struck out nine batters over five innings while giving up five earned runs off five hits. Dodge was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two runs, two doubles, and one RBI. Those two runs gave him a new career-high.
Bryson Lilly
| 03/24/26 @ Victor Valley Christian | 3 |
| 03/20/26 @ Lucerne Valley | 2 |
| 03/03/26 @ Adelanto | 2 |
| 02/21/26 vs Hesperia Christian | 2 |
| 02/19/26 vs University Prep | 2 |
In other batting news, Bryson Lilly was a standout: he went 4-for-5 with three runs, three RBI, and one triple. Those three runs gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Conner Clancy, who fired off two home runs and three RBI while going 2-for-2.
Academy for Academic Excellence always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .756. They are a perfect 5-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
Meanwhile, Silver Valley came up short against Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy on Tuesday, falling 12-5. The Trojans have struggled against Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy recently, as the game was their ninth consecutive lost matchup.
Mason Melcher made the most of his time in the batter's box despite the final result and went 2-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI. He is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as he's now snagged at least one in each of the last three games he's played. Justis Castro was another key player, going 1-for-3 with two stolen bases and two runs.
Silver Valley's defeat dropped their record down to 2-7. As for Academy for Academic Excellence, their win bumped their record up to 8-4.
Silver Valley's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Academy for Academic Excellence hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .369. It's a different story for Silver Valley, though, as they've only averaged .223. Will they be able to contain Academy for Academic Excellence's hitters?
Academy for Academic Excellence got the 'W' when the teams last played back in May of 2025 against Silver Valley by a conclusive 13-0 score. Will the Knights repeat their success, or do the Trojans have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
