The Manatee Hurricanes will square off against the Palmetto Tigers at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Manatee is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.2 runs per game this season.
Having struggled with four losses in a row, Manatee turned things around against Boca Ciega on Tuesday. They put the hurt on the Pirates with a sharp 15-1 victory. The Hurricanes' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Steven Williams
| 04/01/25 vs Boca Ciega | 2 |
| 03/25/25 vs Cardinal Mooney | 2 |
| 03/18/25 vs Port Charlotte | 1 |
| 03/11/25 vs Maryville | 2 |
| 03/04/25 vs Sarasota | 1 |
| 02/25/25 @ DeSoto County | 2 |
Steven Williams looked comfortable as he pitched 2.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. He has been consistent : he hasn't given up more than two walks any time he's pitched this season.
On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Nick Zunica, who scored two runs and stole three bases while going 1-for-3. What's more, he posted three RBI, the most he's had since back in March. Payton Harlan was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing two bases while getting on base in two of his four plate appearances.
Manatee always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .594. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Boca Ciega only posted an OBP of .286.
Meanwhile, Palmetto posted their closest win since May 2, 2024 on Tuesday. They narrowly escaped with a victory as the team sidled past Lakewood Ranch 4-2. The win continues a trend for the Tigers in their matchups with the Mustangs: they've now won three in a row.
Palmetto let Blake Willis and Chase Nye run wild. Willis went 2-for-3 with one triple and one run, while Nye went 1-for-2 with one triple, one run, and one RBI. That triple marked the first that Nye hit this season.
Palmetto's victory bumped their record up to 5-16. As for Manatee, their win bumped their record up to 13-7.
Manatee's speedy runners might be the difference in Friday's matchup. The Hurricanes have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 5.6 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Palmetto, though, as they've been averaging only 1.3 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Manatee continue to outrun the ball?
Manatee couldn't quite finish off Palmetto in their previous meeting back in April of 2024 and fell 2-0. Can the Hurricanes avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
