The Eustis Panthers will challenge the Mount Dora Canes at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Both come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
On Thursday, Eustis was able to grind out a solid victory over Tavares, taking the game 6-2.
Braeden Barnes
| 04/09/26 vs Tavares | 14 |
| 03/12/26 vs Weeki Wachee | 14 |
| 02/20/26 @ South Lake | 14 |
| 03/06/26 vs Mount Dora | 10 |
| 02/13/26 vs Lake Minneola | 9 |
| + 5 more games |
Braeden Barnes made a big impact while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out 14 over six innings pitched. He has become a key player for Eustis: the team is 4-1 when he posts at least eight strikeouts, but 9-10 otherwise. Barnes was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with three stolen bases, one run, and one RBI. That's the most stolen bases he has posted since back in March.
In other batting news, Jabriel Rivera Caraballo and Ethan Jackson did most of the damage at the plate: Rivera Caraballo went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases and two runs, while Jackson went 1-for-4 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run. That's the most stolen bases Rivera Caraballo has posted since back in February. Another player making a difference was Parker Yero, who went 2-for-3 with one stolen base and two RBI.
Meanwhile, Mount Dora entered their tilt with Forest on Friday with seven consecutive wins but they'll enter their next game with eight. They never let the Wildcats get on the board and left with a 3-0 win.
Like Eustis, Mount Dora also got a great game from a two-way player: Jack Irwin. He pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Irwin has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two hits in four consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, going a perfect 2-for-2 with one stolen base and one RBI.
Irwin wasn't the only one making solid contact as three players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Zane Burnett, who went 1-for-2 with one run.
Mount Dora's victory bumped their record up to 14-7. As for Eustis, their win bumped their record up to 13-11.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Wednesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Eustis has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Mount Dora struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 7.1 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Eustis beat Mount Dora 6-2 when the teams last played back in March. Will the Panthers repeat their success, or do the Canes have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
