The Independence Patriots will challenge the Maryvale Panthers at 3:45 p.m. on Thursday. Both come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Independence barely beat North Canyon the last time the pair played, but that sure wasn't the case this time around. Everything went Independence's way against North Canyon on Wednesday as Independence made off with a 16-6 victory. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Patriots.
Mariana Perez Vargas made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she struck out ten batters over six innings while giving up five earned (and one unearned) runs off five hits. Perez Vargas was also stellar in the batter's box, going 4-for-5 with one home run, three runs, and three RBI. That's the most RBI she has posted since back in March of 2024.
In other batting news, Independence got a massive performance out of Genevieve De La Cruz, who scored three runs and stole Two bases. while going 4-for-4. The team also got some help courtesy of Jasmine Pearson, who scored three runs and stole a base while going 4-for-4.
Independence always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .675. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as North Canyon only posted an OBP of .346.
Meanwhile, Maryvale hadn't done well against Dobson recently (they were 0-4 in their previous four matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Wednesday. Maryvale narrowly escaped with a win as the squad sidled past Dobson 8-6. While the Panthers didn't have the best season last year (they finished 9-12), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past.
Isabel Hernandez was a major factor no matter where she played. She struck out 15 batters over 6.2 innings while giving up just two earned (and four unearned) runs off six hits. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks any time she's pitched this season. She was also big at the plate, scoring two runs and stealing a base while getting on base in all three of her plate appearances.
In other batting news, Ivette Hernandez Mojica was incredible, scoring two runs and stealing Four bases. while going 3-for-3. Leslie Gibbons was another key player, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 1-for-2.
Maryvale's victory bumped their record up to 4-1. As for Independence, their win bumped their record up to 2-0.
