The Scripps Ranch Falcons will square off against the Academy of Our Lady of Peace Pilots at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Scripps Ranch is coming into the game hot, having won their last four games.
It was a Battle of the Birds when Scripps Ranch challenged Canyon Crest Academy two weeks ago. The Falcons came out on top against the Ravens by a score of 6-1.
The team relied heavily on Eme Ledbetter, who scored two runs and stole three bases while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances. Sienna Cole was another key player, scoring two runs while going 2-for-2.
Meanwhile, Academy of Our Lady of Peace can bid farewell to their seven-game losing streak thanks to their game on Thursday. They put the hurt on Mar Vista with a sharp 11-4 win. The Pilots' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Grace Paine looked comfortable as she pitched three innings while giving up just one earned run off three hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Samantha Gehler was incredible, firing off two home runs, five RBI, and three runs while going 4-for-4. Those three runs gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Maggie Baribault, who scored two runs and stole two bases while going 2-for-3.
Academy of Our Lady of Peace was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .452. They are 3-1 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Scripps Ranch pushed their record up to 6-3 with the victory, which was their sixth straight at home dating back to last season. Those home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.3 runs on average over those games. As for Academy of Our Lady of Peace, their victory bumped their record up to 4-9.
Fans could be in store for some top-tier slugging on Saturday. Scripps Ranch hasn't had any problems when it comes to power this season, having averaged 0.4 home runs per game. However, it's not like Academy of Our Lady of Peace struggles in that department as they've been averaging 0.5 home runs. With so much power on both teams, it'll be down to the pitchers to keep the mound locked down.
Scripps Ranch suffered a grim 10-0 defeat to Academy of Our Lady of Peace in their previous meeting back in May of 2023. Will the Falcons have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
