Softball Game Preview: Fort Meade Miners vs. Tampa Catholic Crusaders

Miners

Runs

04/15/25 @ Auburndale	5
04/10/25 vs Sebring	2
04/09/25 @ George Jenkins	2
04/07/25 vs Avon Park	18
04/03/25 vs Lake Region	2
+ 17 more games

The Fort Meade Miners will head out to face off against the Tampa Catholic Crusaders at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Fort Meade is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.7 runs per game this season.

Fort Meade was handed a ten-run loss in their previous outing, but that didn't affect their clutch gene on Tuesday. They sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 5-3 win over Auburndale. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Miners have posted since May 8, 2024.

The team relied heavily on Makayla Deleon, who went 1-for-3 with one stolen base, one double, and one RBI. She has been hot recently, having posted at least one stolen base the last four times she's played. Another player making a difference was Cailynn Johnson, who scored a run and stole two bases while going 2-for-4.

Deleon wasn't the only one making solid contact: Fort Meade kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. The Miners are 10-2 when they post 11 or more hits.

Meanwhile, Tampa Catholic hadn't done well against Berkeley Prep recently (they were 1-8 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Friday. The Crusaders walked away with a 6-3 win over the Buccaneers.

Olivia Ricciardi spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned (and one unearned) runs on four hits and racked up nine Ks.

On the hitting side, Raegan Kirchen was excellent, scoring two runs while going 2-for-4. Emma Muzi was another key player, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 2-for-3.

Tampa Catholic's record is now 9-7. As for Fort Meade, their victory ended a three-game drought on the road and puts them at 13-9.