The Orthopaedic Vipers will take on the Marquez Gladiators at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday. One thing working in Orthopaedic's favor is that they have posted at least ten runs in their last six matchups.
Orthopaedic is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Monday. Their pitcher stepped up to hand Torres a 12-0 shutout. The Vipers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won 13 contests by nine runs or more this season.
Brianna Ramirez made a splash while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run while striking out ten over five innings pitched. She has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than two walks in eight consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and one double.
Vanessa Castillo
| 05/19/25 vs Torres | 3 |
| 05/14/25 vs Annenberg | 3 |
| 05/12/25 @ USC-MAE | 1 |
| 05/08/25 @ Central City Value | 6 |
In other batting news, Orthopaedic got a massive performance out of Vanessa Castillo, who got on base in all four of her plate appearances with three stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI. Castillo is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as she's now snagged at least one in each of the last four games she's played. Another player making a difference was Elizabeth Ajin, who got on base in three of her four plate appearances with two stolen bases, two RBI, and one run.
Orthopaedic 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 .379 or higher in five consecutive games.
Meanwhile, Marquez unfortunately witnessed the end of their 12-game winning streak last Saturday. They fell 6-1 to Garfield. The Gladiators were red-hot at the plate heading into the match (they scored no less than ten runs in the seven contests prior), but the Bulldogs' pitcher proved too tough.
Marquez saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Delilah Sanchez, who went 2-for-4 with one stolen base.
Orthopaedic has been performing incredibly well recently as they've won nine of their last ten games. That's provided a nice bump to their 15-6 record this season. The victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 20.2 runs over those games. As for Marquez, their loss dropped their record down to 21-2.
Wednesday's matchup might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Orthopaedic has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .624. However, it's not like Marquez struggles in that department as they've averaged .539. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Orthopaedic came up short against Marquez in their previous meeting back in February, falling 5-0. Can the Vipers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
