The Don Lugo Conquistadores will challenge the Los Osos Grizzlies at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. Both come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Don Lugo was handed a 14-run loss in their previous outing, but that didn't affect their clutch gene on Friday. They narrowly escaped with a win as the team sidled past Riverside Prep 7-5. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Conquistadores have posted since April 4, 2024.
Leylah Ramirez was excellent, scoring a run and stealing two bases while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances. Aubrey Liester also deserves some recognition as she stole her first stolen base of the season.
Don Lugo was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .417. That's the best batting average they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, Los Osos entered their tilt with Capistrano Valley Christian on Friday with seven consecutive wins , and they'll enter their next game with eight. They put the hurt on the Eagles with a sharp 16-1 win. The result was nothing new for the Grizzlies, who have now won four matches by six runs or more so far this season.
Jazzlynn Rodriguez and Abigail Merchant were a major factor no matter where they played. On the mound, Rodriguez tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Meanwhile, Merchant pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in ten consecutive appearances. At bat, Rodriguez scored two runs while going 2-for-3, while Merchant went 1-for-3 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI.
In other batting news, Makenna Estep and Kassandra Granillo did most of the damage at the plate: Estep went a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs, one triple, and one RBI, while Granillo went 2-for-3 with two runs, one triple, and two RBI. The dominant performance also gave Granillo a new career-high in hits (two). Renata Arroyo was another key player, scoring three runs while going 2-for-3.
Don Lugo's victory was their tenth straight on the road dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 4-2. The wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 10.6 runs over those games. As for Los Osos, their record now sits at 9-2-1.
Saturday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Don Lugo hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .354. However, it's not like Los Osos struggles in that department as they've averaged .342. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Don Lugo was able to grind out a solid win over Los Osos in their previous matchup back in March of 2017, winning 8-4. Does Don Lugo have another victory up their sleeve, or will Los Osos turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
