The Simi Valley Pioneers will take on the Grace Lancers at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. Simi Valley's pitching crew has only allowed 3.8 runs per game this season, so Grace's hitters will have their work cut out for them.
Simi Valley is probably headed into the match with a chip on their shoulder considering Royal just ended the team's three-game winning streak on Friday. They fell just short of the Highlanders by a score of 5-3.
Francesca Hall was a force to be reckoned with on the mound despite the final result: she struck out seven batters over six innings while giving up just two earned (and three unearned) runs off nine hits. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Arianna Ochoa made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and scored a run and stole three bases while going 3-for-4. Another player making a difference was Aurora Zepeda, who went 1-for-3 with one home run and two RBI.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Grace). They put the hurt on Foothill Tech with a sharp 18-1 victory on Tuesday. The Lancers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won five contests by six runs or more this season.
Lexi Bower and Rosy Salazar were a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, Bower pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Salazar tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. That hit marked the first that she allowed this season. At the plate, Bower scored four runs while going 4-for-4, while Salazar scored four runs while going 2-for-4. What's more, Bower posted two doubles, the most she's had since back in April of 2024.
In other batting news, Isabella Cocca was a standout: she went 3-for-4 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs. Those three hits gave her a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Grace Maguire, who scored three runs while going 2-for-3.
Grace always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .583. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Grace pushed their record up to 7-2 with the win, which was their ninth straight at home dating back to last season. Those home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.1 runs on average this season. As for Simi Valley, their defeat dropped their record down to 11-6-1.
Fans could be in store for some top-tier slugging on Thursday. Simi Valley hasn't had any problems when it comes to power this season, having averaged 0.6 home runs per game. However, it's not like Grace struggles in that department as they've been averaging 0.4 home runs. With so much power on both teams, it'll be down to the pitchers to keep the mound locked down.
Simi Valley couldn't quite get it done against Grace in their previous matchup back in April of 2024 as they fell 4-1. Will the Pioneers 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.
