Softball Game Preview: Land O' Lakes Gators vs. George Jenkins Eagles

Gators

Runs

04/08/25 @ Sunlake	0
04/01/25 @ Cypress Creek	4
03/29/25 vs Charlotte	12
03/29/25 vs Trinity Catholic	3
03/28/25 vs Yulee	2
+ 14 more games

The Land O' Lakes Gators will square off against the George Jenkins Eagles at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Land O' Lakes is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.2 runs per game this season.

Tuesday just wasn't the day for Land O' Lakes' offense. They lost 6-0 to Sunlake on Tuesday. The matchup marked the first time this season in which the Gators were not able to get on the board.

Meanwhile, George Jenkins beat Fort Meade 6-2 on Wednesday. The Eagles haven't had any issues with the Miners recently, as the game was their fourth consecutive win against them.

Olivia Friel made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, tossing 2.1 innings while giving up no earned runs off four hits. She has been consistent : she hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going a perfect 1-for-1 with two RBI and one double. Those two RBI gave her a new career-high.

Friel wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Alaina Kennedy, who scored a run and stole a base while going 1-for-3. Another was Riley Pate, who scored a run while going 1-for-2.

George Jenkins' victory bumped their record up to 11-7. As for Land O' Lakes, they now have a losing record of 9-10.

Land O' Lakes' speedy runners might be the difference in Thursday's contest. The Gators have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.8 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for George Jenkins, though, as they've been averaging only 1.2 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Land O' Lakes continue to outrun the ball?

Land O' Lakes beat George Jenkins 4-1 in their previous meeting back in April of 2024. Will the Gators repeat their success, or do the Eagles have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.