Baseball Game Preview: Valley Lutheran Flames vs. Hayden Lobos

The Valley Lutheran Flames will venture away from home to challenge the Hayden Lobos at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Valley Lutheran is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.5 runs per game this season.

Valley Lutheran took a 13-run defeat the last time they faced off against Superior, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. The Flames came out on top in a nail-biter against the Panthers on Tuesday, sneaking past 5-3. The win was some much needed relief for the Flames as it spelled an end to their four-game losing streak.

Ethan Brown spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: he surrendered just two earned (and one unearned) runs on four hits and racked up seven Ks.

Brennan Larson

Stolen Base

04/11/25 @ Maryvale Prep	4
04/29/25 @ Superior	2
04/26/25 vs Desert Heights Prep	2
04/19/25 vs Anthem Prep	1
04/04/25 vs Maryvale Prep	1
+ 3 more games

On the hitting side, Valley Lutheran's victory was truly a team effort as four different players contributed at least one hit. One of them was Brennan Larson, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two stolen bases, one triple, and one run. Larson has become a key player for the Flames: the team is 2-1 when he posts at least two stolen bases, but 2-7 otherwise. Sebastian Alvarez Juzaino also deserves some recognition as he hit his first double of the season.

Meanwhile, after soaring to 13 runs the game before, Hayden was a bit more limited in their matchup last Monday. They fell 5-2 to Florence. The loss continues a trend for the Lobos in their meetings with the Gophers: they've now lost seven in a row.

Valley Lutheran's win bumped their record up to 4-8. As for Hayden, their defeat dropped their record down to 19-5.

Valley Lutheran suffered a grim 18-1 defeat to Hayden in their previous matchup two weeks ago. Can the Flames avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.