The Inspiration Academy Lions will take on the Lake Wales Highlanders in a tournament on Friday. Inspiration Academy is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.8 runs per game this season.
It was a proper cat-fight when Inspiration Academy challenged Bradenton Christian on Monday. Inspiration Academy put the hurt on Bradenton Christian with a sharp 13-0 victory. The Lions haven't had any issues with the Panthers recently, as the game was their ninth consecutive win against them.
Emma Szabo
| 03/10/25 vs Bradenton Christian | 6 |
| 03/09/24 vs Lake Wales | 4 |
| 03/08/24 vs Academy at the Lakes | 4 |
| 04/04/24 @ Lakewood Ranch | 3 |
| 03/22/24 vs Newsome | 3 |
Emma Szabo made a splash no matter where she played. On the mound, she struck out six batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and not a single walk). The dominant performance gave her a new career-high in strikeouts. She was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 2-for-4.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Avery Bouquin, who went 2-for-4 with one home run, three runs, and three RBI. That home run marked the first that she launched this season. Alexis McInerney was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing Two bases. while going 2-for-2.
Inspiration Academy kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. They are a perfect 4-0 when they post 11 or more hits.
Meanwhile, Lake Wales came into Thursday's match having lost three straight, but that streak is now in the rearview. They walked away with a 5-2 victory over Davenport on Thursday.
Zamirya McBurrows spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned runs on four hits and racked up 20 Ks. What's more, she gave up only zero walks, the fewest she's had since back in April of 2024.
At the plate, Lake Wales got a massive performance out of Mattie Cockrell, who went 2-for-3 with one home run and three RBI. Another player making a difference was Keira Davis, who went 2-for-3 with one triple, one stolen base, and one run.
Inspiration Academy's win was their eighth straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 7-4. The wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 0.9 runs on average over those games. As for Lake Wales, they now have a winning record of 4-3.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Inspiration Academy has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Lake Wales struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.3 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Inspiration Academy skirted past Lake Wales 6-5 in their previous meeting back in March of 2024. Does Inspiration Academy have another victory up their sleeve, or will Lake Wales turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
