The Santa Cruz Valley Dust Devils are taking a road trip to take on the Horizon Honors Eagles at 6:30 p.m. on Monday. Santa Cruz Valley will be strutting in after a victory while Horizon Honors will be coming in after a loss.
Santa Cruz Valley took a loss when they played away from home on Tuesday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Thursday. They were the clear victors by a 16-5 margin over Arizona Lutheran Academy. Considering the Dust Devils have won nine games by more than six runs this season, Thursday's blowout was nothing new.
Layla Brown made a splash while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over six innings while giving up just one earned (and four unearned) runs off nine hits (and not a single walk). She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than one walk in 11 consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. That home run was her first of the season.
In other batting news, Mikayla Leos was incredible, going 3-for-4 with one home run, three runs, and four RBI. That's the most RBI she has posted since back in March. Melody Cade was another key player, getting on base in three of her four plate appearances with two runs, one triple, and two RBI.
Santa Cruz Valley always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .590. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Arizona Lutheran Academy only posted an OBP of .407.
Meanwhile, Wednesday just wasn't the day for Horizon Honors' offense. They came up short against Mohave Accelerated on Wednesday, falling 13-0. Having soared to a lofty 21 runs in the game before, the Eagles' shutout was a dramatic turnaround.
The win snapped Santa Cruz Valley's losing streak at three games and leaves them with a 9-11 record. As for Horizon Honors, their defeat ended a seven-game streak of away wins and brought them to 20-5.
Monday's matchup will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Santa Cruz Valley hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .326. However, it's not like Horizon Honors struggles in that department as they've averaged .418. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Santa Cruz Valley couldn't quite get it done against Horizon Honors in their previous meeting back in March as they fell 6-2. Can the Dust Devils avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
