The Innovation Bulls will head out to square off against the Freedom Patriots at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. One thing working in Innovation's favor is that they have posted at least ten runs in their last three matchups.
If Innovation beats Freedom with 11 runs on Thursday, it's going to be the team's new lucky number: they've won their past two games with that exact score. The Bulls beat Winter Park on Monday by the very same score they won with in their prior game: 11-6.
Berit Acker
| 04/14/25 @ Winter Park | 9 |
| 04/11/25 @ Lake Nona | 9 |
| 04/09/25 vs Colonial | 9 |
| 04/07/25 vs East River | 12 |
| 04/01/25 @ DeLand | 17 |
Berit Acker spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered five earned (and one unearned) runs on seven hits and racked up nine Ks. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than nine strikeouts in five consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Innovation got a massive performance out of Guiliana Rodriguez Fernandez, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with three runs, one triple, and one RBI. That's the most hits Rodriguez Fernandez has posted since back in March. The team also got some help courtesy of Izabel Solis, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 3-for-4.
Innovation was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .424. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Winter Park only posted a batting average of .286.
Meanwhile, Freedom lost 10-3 to Lake Buena Vista on Tuesday.
Allison Smith was huge while hitting and pitching even without the win. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out nine batters over seven innings while giving up four earned (and six unearned) runs off eight hits. Those hits were her first of the season. She was also big at the plate, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 2-for-3.
In other batting news, Kaylin Braasch made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and scored two runs and stole two bases while going 2-for-4.
Innovation has been performing well recently as they've won five of their last six contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 11-6 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.5 runs over those games. As for Freedom, their loss dropped their record down to 2-18.
Thursday's matchup might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Innovation has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .456. However, it's not like Freedom struggles in that department as they've averaged .437. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Everything went Innovation's way against Freedom in their previous matchup two weeks ago, as Innovation made off with a 22-2 victory. Will the Bulls repeat their success, or do the Patriots have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
