Rancho Verde and Rancho Christian are an even 4-4 against one another since March of 2023, but likely not for long. The Mustangs will challenge the Eagles at 3:15 p.m. on Thursday. Rancho Verde is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.4 runs per game this season.
Having struggled with three defeats in a row, Rancho Verde turned things around against Canyon Springs on Tuesday. They walked away with a 6-2 win over the Cougars.
Eli Draper
| 04/29/25 @ Canyon Springs | 4 |
| 04/17/25 @ Perris | 3 |
| 03/01/25 vs JW North | 7 |
Rancho Verde got a great performance from Eli Draper as he pitched six innings while giving up just two earned runs off two hits. What's more, Draper posted four strikeouts, the most he's had since back in March.
On the hitting side, Rancho Verde let David Hernandez and Ethan Montolfo run wild. Hernandez went 2-for-3 with three RBI and one stolen base, while Montolfo went 2-for-4 with two RBI, one run, and one double. That's the most RBI Montolfo has posted since back in March. The team also got some help courtesy of Jacob Cabral, who went 2-for-4 with two runs.
Rancho Verde kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Canyon Springs only managed three hits.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Rancho Christian). They put the hurt on Vista del Lago with a sharp 25-3 victory on Tuesday. The result was nothing new for the Eagles, who have now won nine contests by six runs or more so far this season.
Aj Garza and Cody Horner were major factors no matter where they played. Throwing, Garza tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Horner pitched three innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs but no hits. Garza has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than one hit in four consecutive appearances. At the plate, Garza went 2-for-5 with three RBI, two runs, and one triple, while Horner went 3-for-4 with three runs and two RBI.
In other batting news, Cylis Proffitt was incredible, going 4-for-5 with three stolen bases, four RBI, and two runs. Rancho Christian is 8-1 when Proffitt posts two or more runs, but 5-6 otherwise. Spencer Horner was another key player, getting on base in all three of his plate appearances with three runs and one triple.
Rancho Christian is on a roll lately: they've won five of their last six matchups. That's provided a nice bump to their 13-7 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.3 runs on average over those games. As for Rancho Verde, their record is now 15-9.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Thursday as neither team is afraid to steal. Rancho Verde has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.2 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Rancho Christian struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 3.4 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Rancho Verde skirted past Rancho Christian 2-0 when the teams last played on April 10th. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Mustangs since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
