The Moreno Valley Vikings will head out on the road to square off against the Rancho Verde Mustangs at 3:15 p.m. on Thursday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Moreno Valley came out on top against Perris on Tuesday thanks in part to the team's impressive 11-run third inning. The Vikings' pitcher stepped up to hand the Panthers a 16-0 shutout. The Vikings haven't had any issues with the Panthers recently, as the game was their third consecutive win against them.
Julia Harris was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit while striking out six over five innings pitched. She has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two runs.
Amera Collins
| 04/22/25 @ Perris | 6 |
| 03/12/25 @ Cathedral City | 3 |
| 04/03/25 vs Perris | 1 |
| 02/27/25 vs Yucca Valley | 1 |
| 02/25/25 @ Norte Vista | 1 |
In other batting news, Amera Collins was incredible, going 3-for-4 with six RBI, two triples, and two runs. Those six RBI gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Sophia Miramontes, who went 2-for-4 with three runs and one stolen base.
Moreno Valley was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .417. They are 5-1 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Meanwhile, Rancho Verde waltzed into their contest on Tuesday with six straight wins... but they left with seven. They didn't even let the Eagles on the board, marking their second-straight 21-0 shutout.
Like Moreno Valley, Rancho Verde also got a great game from a two-way player: Isabelle Sena. On the mound, Sena pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Gabby Silvas didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit while striking out seven over four innings pitched. At the plate, Sena went 3-for-4 with four runs, one stolen base, and one RBI, while Silvas went a perfect 4-for-4 with three runs, three RBI, and one stolen base.
In other batting news, Rancho Verde got a massive performance out of Jaylen Anderson, who got on base in all four of her plate appearances with three runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. Leilani Rivas was another key player, going 2-for-5 with four runs, one stolen base, and one double.
Rancho Verde pushed their record up to 13-3 with the victory, which was their fourth straight on the road. Those road wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 0.8 runs on average over those games. As for Moreno Valley, the victory got them back to even at 8-8.
Thursday's match might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Moreno Valley has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .474. However, it's not like Rancho Verde struggles in that department as they've averaged .475. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Moreno Valley might still be hurting after the 12-1 loss they got from Rancho Verde in their previous matchup two weeks ago. Can the Vikings avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
