Valley Academy of Arts & Sciences is 0-10 against Northridge Academy since May of 2017 but things could change on Thursday. The Vipers will venture away from home to challenge the Pumas at 2:30 p.m. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Valley Academy of Arts & Sciences will roll into the matchup after a wild two-game stretch: they only put up one run two weeks ago, then bounced right back against East Valley on Monday. The Vipers put the hurt on the Falcons with a sharp 30-10 win. The victory continues a trend for the Vipers in their matchups with the Falcons: they've now won three in a row.
Kaida Vorster
| 04/07/25 @ East Valley | 5 |
| 04/04/24 @ Fulton | 4 |
| 04/25/24 vs Sherman Oaks CES | 3 |
| 03/24/25 @ Fulton | 2 |
| 04/08/24 @ Sherman Oaks CES | 2 |
The team relied heavily on Kaida Vorster, who went 5-for-6 with three stolen bases, eight RBI, and five runs. Those five runs gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Ruth Zambrano, who scored five runs and stole a base while getting on base in all six of her plate appearances.
Vorster wasn't the only one making solid contact: Valley Academy of Arts & Sciences kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 26 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, Northridge Academy got the win against Vaughn on Monday by a conclusive 25-3. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Pumas.
Alondra Laguna made a big impact no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, tossing two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in ten consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, going 4-for-5 with one home run, four stolen bases, and five runs.
In other batting news, Jackie Nettles was a standout: she fired off two home runs, seven RBI, and two stolen bases while getting on base in all five of her plate appearances. Guadalupe Ortiz was another key player, scoring four runs and stealing five bases while going 4-for-5.
Valley Academy of Arts & Sciences' win was their fourth straight on the road dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 3-2. The road victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 19.8 runs over those games. As for Northridge Academy, their record is now 9-3.
Thursday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Valley Academy of Arts & Sciences has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .670. However, it's not like Northridge Academy struggles in that department as they've averaged .640. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Valley Academy of Arts & Sciences suffered a grim 8-2 defeat to Northridge Academy when the teams last played back in May of 2024. Can the Vipers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
