The Highland Bulldogs will square off against the Irvine Vaqueros at 3:15 p.m. on Saturday. Highland is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.6 runs per game this season.
Highland is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Thursday. They blew past Rowland 9-1. Considering the Bulldogs have won 11 matchups by more than five runs this season, Thursday's blowout was nothing new.
Paisley Memory made a splash while hitting and pitching. She didn't allow a single earned run over five innings pitched. She has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than two walks in seven consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with one double and one RBI.
In other batting news, Evalina Chavez was incredible, firing off two home runs and five RBI while going 3-for-4. That's the most RBI she has posted since back in April of 2024. Another player making a difference was Aubrey Reyes, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
Highland kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 18 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least eight hits in four consecutive contests.
Irvine came out on top against Flintridge Sacred Heart on Thursday thanks in part to the team's impressive seven-run fifth inning. The Vaqueros' pitcher stepped up to hand the Tologs an 11-0 shutout. The victory was familiar territory for the Vaqueros, who have now won three games in a row.
Like Highland, Irvine also got a great game from a two-way player: Midori De Los Santos. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only two hits over five innings pitched. De Los Santos was also solid in the batter's box, going a perfect 4-for-4 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.
In other batting news, Abby Sasaki was a standout: she went 2-for-4 with one home run, six RBI, and one double. Reese Villanueva was another key player, going 2-for-3 with one home run, two runs, and one stolen base.
Highland is on a roll lately: they've won 11 of their last 13 matchups. That's provided a nice bump to their 18-8 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.5 runs over those games. As for Irvine, their victory was their third straight at home, which pushed their record up to 9-16.
