For the first time this season, Albuquerque Academy will have a chance to prove themselves in a conference matchup. They will host the Valley Vikings at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Albuquerque Academy is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 9.2 runs per game this season.
Albuquerque Academy is headed into Tuesday's game looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their third straight game on Saturday. They came up short against St. Pius X, falling 10-3.
Matthew Delaney
| 03/22/25 @ Atrisco Heritage Academy | 4 |
| 03/29/25 @ St. Pius X | 3 |
| 03/14/25 @ Highland | 3 |
| 03/28/25 @ Artesia | 2 |
| 03/24/25 vs Albuquerque | 2 |
| + 7 more games |
Albuquerque Academy saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Matthew Delaney, who scored a run while going 3-for-4. Albuquerque Academy is 2-1 when Delaney posts three or more hits, but 5-6 otherwise. Another was Daniel Candelas, who scored a run and stole a base while going 1-for-3.
Meanwhile, Valley hadn't done well against Bloomfield recently (they were 0-3 in their previous three matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Saturday. Valley skirted past Bloomfield 4-3.
Estevan Fernandez spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: he surrendered three earned runs on nine hits and racked up seven Ks. That's the most strikeouts he has posted since back in May of 2024.
At the plate, the team relied heavily on Thomas Velarde, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run and two RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of Jayden Martinez, who went 2-for-4 with one home run and two RBI.
Valley hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. They are 4-2 when they post two or more strikeouts.
Valley's win ended a six-game drought on the road and puts them at 8-9. As for Albuquerque Academy, their loss dropped their record down to 7-7.
Fans could be in store for some top-tier slugging on Tuesday. Albuquerque Academy hasn't had any problems when it comes to power this season, having averaged 0.8 home runs per game. However, it's not like Valley struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 0.5 home runs. With so much power on both teams, it'll be down to the pitchers to keep the mound locked down.
Albuquerque Academy was able to grind out a solid victory over Valley in their previous meeting back in April of 2024, winning 6-1. Does Albuquerque Academy have another victory up their sleeve, or will Valley turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
