vs
| 02/23/24 - Away | 6-4 W |
| 03/03/23 - Home | 1-4 L |
| 04/13/16 - Away | 5-6 L |
| 03/09/16 - Home | 4-2 W |
| 03/31/15 - Home | 3-1 W |
| 02/18/15 - Away | 4-5 L |
Port Charlotte and Riverview Sarasota are an even 3-3 against one another since February of 2015, but likely not for long. The Port Charlotte Pirates will be playing in front of their home fans against the Riverview Sarasota Rams at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Neither of those teams managed to put together many runs in their previous contests, so the offenses might be a little more motivated than usual.
Port Charlotte took a loss when they played away from home on Tuesday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Wednesday. Their pitcher stepped up to hand South Fort Myers a 2-0 shutout. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Pirates have posted since April 2, 2024.
Reed Backstrom made a big impact no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run over seven innings pitched. Backstrom was also big at the plate, scoring a run while going 1-for-2. He also hit a double, marking his first of the season.
Backstrom wasn't the only one making solid contact as two players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Joshian Tirado, who went 1-for-3 with one stolen base. That stolen base was Tirado's first of the season.
Meanwhile, Riverview Sarasota came up short against Braden River on Thursday and fell 4-1. The Rams have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
Morgan Peggs was a force to be reckoned with on the mound despite the final result: he struck out six batters over six innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off two hits. That's the most strikeouts he has posted since back in April of 2024.
Port Charlotte's victory bumped their record up to 3-1. As for Riverview Sarasota, their defeat dropped their record down to 1-3.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Port Charlotte has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.5 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Riverview Sarasota struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.2 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Port Charlotte came out on top in a nail-biter against Riverview Sarasota in their previous matchup back in February of 2024, sneaking past 6-4. Does Port Charlotte have another victory up their sleeve, or will Riverview Sarasota turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
