vs
| 04/08/25 - Home | 0-2 L |
| 03/13/25 - Home | 9-8 W |
| 05/02/24 - Home | 1-13 L |
| 04/16/24 - Home | 4-2 W |
| 05/04/23 - Home | 2-8 L |
| + 5 more games |
Maria Carrillo and Cardinal Newman are an even 5-5 against one another since March of 2022, but likely not for long. The Pumas are taking a road trip to take on the Cardinals at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
On Tuesday, Maria Carrillo made easy work of Analy and carried off a 13-3 win. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Pumas.
Erin Kelleher spent all six innings played on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned runs on five hits and racked up six Ks.
On the hitting side, Rachaely Yaya was a standout: she went 2-for-4 with three runs and one triple. The team also got some help courtesy of Alivia Vetter, who went 2-for-3 with three RBI and one run.
They weren't the only ones making solid contact: Maria Carrillo kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. They are a perfect 9-0 when they post 11 or more hits.
Meanwhile, Cardinal Newman entered their tilt with Rancho Cotate on Tuesday with four consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with five. They blew past the Cougars 15-1. The Cardinals' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Callie Howard made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, keeping things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out 11 over five innings pitched. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't tossed less than eight strikeouts in four consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two RBI. That's the most hits she has posted since back in May of 2024.
In other batting news, Izzie Kunimune was incredible, going 3-for-4 with six RBI, three runs, and two doubles. That's the most hits she has posted since back in March. Another player making a difference was Andrea Mansbery, who went 2-for-4 with three stolen bases, four runs, and one RBI.
Cardinal Newman's victory was their sixth straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 12-6. The road wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.7 runs on average over those games. As for Maria Carrillo, their record now sits at 12-7.
Thursday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Maria Carrillo hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .352. However, it's not like Cardinal Newman struggles in that department as they've averaged .357. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Maria Carrillo couldn't quite finish off Cardinal Newman in their previous meeting on April 8th and fell 2-0. Can the Pumas avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
