Tanque Verde is on a ten-game streak of home wins (dating back to last season), while Pusch Ridge Christian Academy is on a four-game streak of away wins: one of those streaks is about to end. The Hawks will welcome the Lions at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Tanque Verde knows how to get runs on the board -- the squad has finished with ten runs or more in their past six games -- so hopefully Pusch Ridge Christian Academy likes a good challenge.
Last Friday, Tanque Verde made easy work of Tombstone and carried off a 15-6 win. The result was nothing new for the Hawks, who have now won 11 matches by eight runs or more so far this season.
Claire Achilles
| 03/28/25 @ Tombstone | 16 |
| 03/25/25 @ Sahuaro | 2 |
| 03/22/25 @ Dobson | 9 |
| 03/22/25 @ Sunnyslope | 3 |
| 03/21/25 @ Payson | 9 |
| + 8 more games |
Claire Achilles made a big impact no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run while striking out 16 over six innings pitched. With that strong performance, she is now averaging an impressive 5.1 strikeouts per game. She was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring three runs while going 3-for-4.
In other batting news, Mikaela Jackson was incredible, scoring four runs while going 2-for-4. Ella Haggard was another key player, scoring a run while going 1-for-1.
Tanque Verde was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .378. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .378 or higher in six consecutive contests.
Pusch Ridge Christian Academy not only won on Tuesday, but they posted their biggest win since March 11th. Everything went their way against Cholla as they made off with an 18-2 victory.
Like Tanque Verde, Pusch Ridge Christian Academy also got a great game from a two-way player: Hadley English. On the mound, she struck out eight batters over four innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off four hits (and not a single walk). That's the most strikeouts English has posted over her last nine games. She was also big at the plate, scoring three runs and stealing a base while going 4-for-4.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Milan Daniels, who scored three runs and stole five bases while going 2-for-4. Those five stolen bases gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Hannah DeBake, who scored two runs while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances.
Tanque Verde has been performing well recently as they've won ten of their last 12 matchups. That's provided a nice bump to their 16-4 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.3 runs on average over those games. As for Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, the victory got them back to even at 7-7.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Tanque Verde has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.1 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Pusch Ridge Christian Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 6.9 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Tanque Verde came out on top in a nail-biter against Pusch Ridge Christian Academy in their previous matchup back in April of 2024, sneaking past 9-7. Will the Hawks repeat their success, or do the Lions have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
