Orange Park had lost three straight at home, but on Thursday they dropped down to 10-11 to make it four. They fell just short of the Keystone Heights Indians by a score of 6-5. Surprisingly, this marked the fifth straight game in which the away team has come away the victor in this series.
Yaziel Del Valle
| 02/26/26 vs Old Plank Christian Academy | 3 |
| 02/17/26 @ Keystone Heights | 3 |
| 04/02/26 vs Keystone Heights | 2 |
| 03/17/26 @ Stanton | 2 |
| 02/19/26 vs Englewood | 2 |
| + 7 more games |
Yaziel Del Valle was huge no matter where he played even without the win. He struck out eight batters over seven innings while giving up three earned (and three unearned) runs off 11 hits. Del Valle was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one double. He has become a key player for Orange Park: the team is 4-1 when he posts at least two runs, but 6-10 otherwise.
Del Valle wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Brian Allen, who went 1-for-3 with two RBI and one double. Another was Jack Bejarano, who went 1-for-2 with one stolen base and one run.
As for Keystone Heights, the win was the third in a row for them, bringing their record up to 7-13. The victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.3 runs on average over those games.
On Keystone Heights' side, Gavin Eubanks looked comfortable as he pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Eubanks has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one hit in three consecutive appearances.
On the hitting side, Ashton Alday was excellent, going 2-for-3 with two RBI and one run. Those two RBI gave him a new career-high. Destin Harnage was another key player, going 1-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.
Looking ahead, Orange Park will welcome Yulee at 7:00 p.m. on Monday. As for Keystone Heights, they will head out on the road to take on Columbia at 6:30 p.m. on Monday. The Tigers' pitching crew has only allowed 3.6 runs per game this season, so the Indians' hitters will have their work cut out for them.
