Windermere Prep is preparing for their first district matchup of the season on Friday. They will venture away from home to square off against the Lake Highland Prep Highlanders at 4:00 p.m. Windermere Prep knows how to get runs on the board -- the squad has finished with ten runs or more in their past four matches -- so hopefully Lake Highland Prep likes a good challenge.
While Windermere Prep didn't have the best season last year (they finished 4-12), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. Their pitcher stepped up to hand City of Life Christian Academy a 16-0 shutout on Tuesday. The Lakers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won three contests by 15 runs or more this season.
Carsha Campbell made a big impact no matter where she played. On the mound, she struck out seven batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 2-for-3. She also put up two RBI, which were her first of the season.
In other batting news, Cierra Walker and Kylie Konstand did most of the damage at the plate: Walker scored two runs while going 1-for-2, while Konstand scored two runs while going 2-for-2. Rayane Martinelly also deserves some recognition as she got her first hit of the season.
Windermere Prep kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least 11 hits in three consecutive games.
Meanwhile, Lake Highland Prep was able to grind out a solid victory over Freedom on Wednesday, taking the game 11-6. The win continues a trend for the Highlanders in their matchups with the Patriots: they've now won five in a row.
Like Windermere Prep, Lake Highland Prep also got a great game from a two-way player: Emma Kennedy. On the mound, Kennedy struck out six batters over 3.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits (and only one walk). Meanwhile, Kalina Voorhees pitched 3.1 innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. At bat, Kennedy scored two runs and stole Four bases. while going 1-for-3, while Voorhees went 3-for-4 with three runs, three RBI, and one triple. With that strong performance, Kennedy is now averaging an impressive 1.4 stolen bases per game.
In other batting news, Frances Liffey was incredible, scoring two runs and stealing Three bases. while going 3-for-3. Another player making a difference was Lillian Arribas, who scored a run and stole Three bases. while going 3-for-4.
Windermere Prep pushed their record up to 4-1 with the victory, which was their third straight at home. The wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 0.3 runs on average over those games. As for Lake Highland Prep, they picked up their first home win, bumping their record up to 2-3.
Lake Highland Prep's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Windermere Prep has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 9.4 hits per game. It's a different story for Lake Highland Prep, though, as they've been averaging 12.8 hits. Given Windermere Prep's sizable advantage in that area, Lake Highland Prep will need to find a way to close that gap.
Windermere Prep suffered a grim 18-1 defeat to Lake Highland Prep when the teams last played back in March of 2024. Can Windermere Prep avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
