Gulf Coast H is 1-9 against Sarasota Christian since February of 2021 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Thursday. The HEAT will take on the Blazers at 7:00 p.m. The two teams are strolling into their contests after big wins in their previous games.
Gulf Coast H took a loss when they played away from home on Thursday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Monday. They never let The Classical Academy of Sarasota get on the board and left with a 10-0 win. The victory was some much needed relief for the HEAT as it spelled an end to their five-game losing streak.
Oliver Ekstrom
| 04/07/25 vs The Classical Academy of Sarasota | 9 |
| 02/11/25 vs Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy | 7 |
| 02/18/25 vs Riverview Academy of Math and Science | 6 |
| 04/01/25 vs Oasis Christian | 5 |
| 03/27/25 vs Booker | 4 |
Oliver Ekstrom made a big impact no matter where he played. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit while striking out nine over six innings pitched. Those nine strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with two runs, one triple, and one RBI. He is becoming a predictor of Gulf Coast H's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 2-1 (and 1-11 when he doesn't).
In other batting news, Andrew Blunden was incredible, going 2-for-4 with two stolen bases, four RBI, and one run. Those four RBI gave him a new career-high. Luke Sahmel also deserves some recognition as he snagged his first stolen base of the season.
Meanwhile, after only two runs in their last match, Sarasota Christian made sure to put some runs up on the board against Saint Stephen's Episcopal on Tuesday. The Blazers blew past the Falcons 14-3. The Blazers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won seven games by six runs or more this season.
Like Gulf Coast H, Sarasota Christian also got a great game from a two-way player: Randall Collins. He struck out seven batters over five innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off three hits (and only one walk). Collins has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. He was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 2-for-2.
In other batting news, Evan Poznanski was a standout: he went a perfect 1-for-1 with five RBI, one triple, and one stolen base. Hunter George was another key player, scoring four runs and stealing a base while going 1-for-2.
Sarasota Christian always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .533. They are a perfect 7-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
Sarasota Christian pushed their record up to 12-7 with the win, which was their third straight at home. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.3 runs over those games. As for Gulf Coast H, their record is now 3-12.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Thursday as neither team is afraid to steal. Gulf Coast H has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.6 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Sarasota Christian struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 3.6 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Gulf Coast H might still be hurting after the 18-2 loss they got from Sarasota Christian in their previous meeting back in March. Can the HEAT avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
