Baseball Game Preview: Maryvale Panthers vs. Camelback Spartans

For the second straight game, Maryvale will face off against Camelback. The Panthers will look to defend their home field on Thursday against the Spartans at 3:45 p.m. Maryvale is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.5 runs per game this season.

Having struggled with four defeats in a row, Maryvale turned things around against Camelback on Tuesday. They were the clear victors by a 31-7 margin over the Spartans. The high-scoring effort was just what the Panthers needed considering they were shut out in their previous matchup.

Christian Valdez made a splash no matter where he played. On the mound, he struck out six batters over five innings while giving up three earned (and four unearned) runs off eight hits. Those six strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was even better at the plate, scoring four runs and stealing four bases while getting on base in five of his seven plate appearances. He has become a key player for Maryvale: the team is undefeated when he posts at least two stolen bases, but 1-7 otherwise.

Nathan Benavidez

Stolen Base

03/06/25 vs Independence	3
04/01/25 @ Camelback	2
02/27/25 vs North	2
03/03/25 vs Mesa	1

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Nathan Benavidez, who scored four runs and stole two bases while getting on base in five of his six plate appearances. Maryvale is undefeated when Benavidez posts two or more stolen bases, but 1-7 otherwise. Another player making a difference was Axel Aguilar, who went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, three runs, and four RBI.

Maryvale was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .688. They are a perfect 3-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.

Maryvale's victory was their first in the region, bumping their region record up to 1-2 and their overall record up to 4-7. As for Camelback, they are on a 20-game losing streak (dating back to last season) that has dropped them down to 0-13.