Marana is 2-8 against Sunnyside since March of 2018 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Thursday. The Tigers will be playing in front of their home fans against the Blue Devils at 4:00 p.m. Marana is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 9.8 runs per game this season.
Marana will roll into the matchup after a wild two-game stretch: they only put up two runs on Monday, then bounced right back against Rincon/University on Tuesday. The Tigers put the hurt on the Rangers with a sharp 18-1 win. The Tigers haven't had any issues with the Rangers recently, as the game was their ninth consecutive victory against them.
Hayden Christensen-Strand
| 04/01/25 @ Rincon/University | 9 |
| 02/27/25 vs Higley | 8 |
| 02/26/25 vs Higley | 8 |
| 04/18/24 @ Rincon/University | 7 |
| 04/15/24 vs Cholla | 7 |
Hayden Christensen-Strand made a splash no matter where she played. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run while striking out nine over five innings pitched. Those nine strikeouts gave her a new career-high. She was also stellar in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with two runs, one triple, and two RBI.
In other batting news, Bella Corona was incredible, scoring four runs and stealing a base while going 3-for-3. That's the most runs she has posted since back in March of 2024. Another player making a difference was Bella Sayre, who went 4-for-5 with two runs, two doubles, and one triple.
Marana was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .625. They are 12-1 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Meanwhile, after some red-hot attacks at the plate in their last three contests, Sunnyside finally came back down to earth on Tuesday. They fell just short of Tucson High Magnet School by a score of 2-0. The Blue Devils' loss signaled the end of their three-game winning streak.
Like Marana, Sunnyside also got a great game from a two-way player: Tatyana Vega. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out nine batters over seven innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off seven hits (and only one walk). Vega has been consistent : she hasn't given up more than two walks in seven consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, getting on base in all four of her plate appearances.
Vega wasn't the only one making solid contact as three players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Vianney Cruz, who went 2-for-4 with one double.
Marana's win bumped their record up to 13-8. As for Sunnyside, their defeat dropped their record down to 14-6-1.
Thursday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Marana hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .416. However, it's not like Sunnyside struggles in that department as they've averaged .345. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Marana came up short against Sunnyside in their previous matchup back in April of 2024, falling 4-1. Can the Tigers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
