The Heritage Academy Heroes will challenge the Santa Cruz Valley Dust Devils at 3:45 p.m. on Monday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Heritage Academy 2.7, Santa Cruz Valley 3.9) so any runs scored will be well earned.
Heritage Academy is probably headed into the contest with a chip on their shoulder considering Horizon Honors just ended the team's 11-game winning streak on Wednesday. They came up short against the Eagles, falling 13-7. The pitching woes were uncharacteristic for the Heroes, who until this game were averaging 2.72 runs allowed.
Savana Soltero made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 1-for-3 with one home run and three RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of Rowan Asanovich, who got on base in two of her four plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Santa Cruz Valley waltzed into their match on Wednesday with two straight wins... but they left with three. They never let the Titans get on the board and left with a 10-0 win. The result was nothing new for the Dust Devils, who have now won eight contests by seven runs or more so far this season.
Mionette Banda was excellent, going a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBI. That's the most hits she has posted since back in February. Another player making a difference was Alyssa Flores, who got on base in all three of her plate appearances with two runs and one stolen base.
Heritage Academy's defeat dropped their record down to 16-2. As for Santa Cruz Valley, their victory bumped their record up to 13-6.
Heritage Academy's speedy runners might be the difference in Monday's game. The Heroes have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 5.3 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Santa Cruz Valley, though, as they've been averaging only 0.8 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Heritage Academy continue to outrun the ball?
Heritage Academy took their win against Santa Cruz Valley in their previous matchup last Thursday by a conclusive 11-0 score. Do the Heroes have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Dust Devils turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
