Doral Academy is 0-8 against IMG Academy since March of 2018 but things could change on Saturday. The Firebirds are taking a road trip to square off against the Ascenders at 3:00 p.m. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Doral Academy 2.9, IMG Academy 2.2) so any runs scored will be well earned.
Doral Academy took a loss when they played away from home last Thursday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Tuesday. They never let Downtown Doral get on the board and left with an 18-0 victory. Considering the Firebirds have won 13 matches by more than five runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.
Santiago Ortiz looked comfortable as he pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. What's more, he posted three strikeouts, the most he's had since back in February.
At the plate, Doral Academy got a massive performance out of Leandro Hernandez, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with one home run, three runs, and four RBI. That's the most runs Hernandez has posted since back in February. Another player making a difference was Gabriel Milano, who went 3-for-4 with four RBI, two runs, and two doubles.
Doral Academy always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .656. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Downtown Doral only posted an OBP of .077.
Meanwhile, IMG Academy waltzed into their contest on Thursday with eight straight wins... but they left with nine. They walked away with a 7-2 win over the Tigers.
Kyler Meccage was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been consistent for a while: he hasn't given up more than one hit in ten consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going 1-for-2 with three RBI, one stolen base, and one double.
In other pitching news, IMG Academy got a great performance from Chase Bentley as he tossed six innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off five hits. Bentley has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than one walk any time he's pitched this season.
Back at the plate, Kelvyn Paulino was a standout: he went 2-for-4 with one home run and three RBI. Sean Gamble was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 2-for-3.
Doral Academy pushed their record up to 18-3-1 with the victory, which was their sixth straight at home. The home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 13.2 runs over those games. As for IMG Academy, their record now sits at 18-1.
Doral Academy suffered a grim 15-3 defeat to IMG Academy when the teams last played last Thursday. Can the Firebirds avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
