The Vista Grande Spartans will take on the Maricopa Rams at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Vista Grande has now lost eight straight, leaving the team hunting for their first win since March 28.
On Monday, Vista Grande came up short against Catalina Foothills and fell 6-1.
Vista Grande saw six different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Aiden Montiel, who went 1-for-3 with one home run. That home run was Montiel's first of the season.
Meanwhile, Maricopa had to endure a three-game losing streak, but that streak is no more. They blew past Flowing Wells 10-4 on Monday. That looming 10-4 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Rams yet this season.
Travis Varela made a big impact while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out eight batters over 4.2 innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off one hit. Those eight strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 2-for-5.
In other pitching news, Grayson Bunte looked comfortable as he tossed 2.1 innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit.
Back at the plate, Maricopa let Patrick Pettis and Jovanny Sanchez run wild. Pettis went a perfect 3-for-3 with two stolen bases, four RBI, and one run, while Sanchez scored three runs while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances. Those three hits gave Pettis a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Will Hawkins, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-5.
Maricopa kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. They are 2-1 when they post 11 or more hits.
Vista Grande now has a losing record of 9-10-1. As for Maricopa, their victory bumped their record up to 7-13.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Tuesday as neither team is afraid to steal. Vista Grande has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 2.8 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Maricopa struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 2.8 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Vista Grande came out on top in a nail-biter against Maricopa in their previous matchup back in March of 2018, sneaking past 3-1. Do the Spartans have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Rams turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
