The Irvine Vaqueros will head out to take on the Rosary Academy Royals at 3:00 p.m. on Monday. Irvine has given up an average of 8.2 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Irvine managed to slip by Long Beach Poly the last time these teams faced off, but didn't have those same answers this time around. The Vaqueros lost 14-4 to the Jackrabbits on Friday.
Reese Villanueva made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went a perfect 2-for-2 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. That home run was her first of the season. Another player making a difference was Midori De Los Santos, who went 2-for-3 with one stolen base and one run.
Meanwhile, Rosary Academy came tearing into Thursday's matchup with 12 straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 7.7 runs), and they left with even more momentum. They walked away with a 5-1 win over the Warriors.
Daleah Cardenas and Ava Phillips dominated on the mound. Cardenas pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits, while Phillips tossed five innings while giving up just one earned run off seven hits. Cardenas has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 19 consecutive appearances.
At the plate, the team relied heavily on Hayden Huerta, who went 3-for-4 with one triple, one stolen base, and one run. She has been hot, having posted at least one stolen base the last five times she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Jenna Caldera, who went 1-for-3 with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base.
Rosary Academy was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .423. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .318 or higher in 14 consecutive contests.
Rosary Academy's victory was their 11th straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 22-2-1. The home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 8.7 runs over those games. As for Irvine, their loss dropped their record down to 6-15.
Both Irvine and Rosary Academy just can't seem to miss. The Vaqueros have been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 8.7 hits per game. However, it's not like Rosary Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging only 4.8 hits. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Irvine couldn't quite get it done against Rosary Academy in their previous matchup two weeks ago as they fell 7-2. Can the Vaqueros avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
