The Manzano Monarchs will head out on the road to square off against the West Mesa Mustangs at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. Manzano has given up an average of 13.2 runs per game this season, so hopefully the team got some pitching drills in this week.
Manzano is coming in off a wild two-game stretch: after soaring to 21 runs on Saturday, they were much more limited against Rio Rancho on Wednesday. They came up short against the Rams, falling 16-1. The Monarchs have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
Sophia Rios Duvall
| 03/19/25 @ Rio Rancho | 3 |
| 03/15/25 vs Rio Grande | 1 |
| 03/12/25 @ Highland | 2 |
| 03/04/25 vs Valley | 1 |
Sophia Rios Duvall made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and scored a run and stole Three bases. She has been hot recently, having posted at least one stolen base the last four times she's played. Shania Aragon was another key player, going a perfect 2-for-2 with two stolen bases.
Meanwhile, West Mesa faced Volcano Vista in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Wednesday. West Mesa lost 13-3 to Volcano Vista. The game snapped a strange streak: the last four times these teams have met, it?s been the away team that?s taken home the W.
Ellie Padilla and Mya Baca stepped up to the plate in a big way. Padilla went 2-for-3 with one triple, one double, and one RBI, while Baca scored a run while going 2-for-3. That double marked the first that Padilla hit this season. Another player making a difference was Christina ' Ocho' Perez, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 1-for-2.
West Mesa's loss dropped their record down to 2-6. As for Manzano, their defeat dropped their record down to an identical 2-6.
Thursday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Manzano has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .496. However, it's not like West Mesa struggles in that department as they've averaged .479. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Manzano suffered a grim 18-2 defeat to West Mesa in their previous meeting back in March of 2023. Can Manzano avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
