The Lakeland Lakers will face off against the Prairie Heights Panthers at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. Lakeland will be looking to extend their current nine-game winning streak.
Lakeland is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Wednesday. They had just enough and edged out Eastside 2-1.
Garrett Pieri made a big impact no matter where he played. He pitched four innings while giving up just one earned run off four hits. He has been consistent for a while: he hasn't given up more than two walks in 12 consecutive appearances. He was also stellar in the batter's box, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two doubles, one stolen base, and one run. That's the most hits he has posted since back in April.
In other batting news, Levi Cook was excellent, going 2-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one double.
Meanwhile, Prairie Heights came into Wednesday's match having lost four straight, but that streak is now in the rearview. They won by a run and slipped past Central Noble 7-6.
Like Lakeland, Prairie Heights also got a great game from a two-way player: Joel Graber. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit (and only one walk). Graber also tossed a walk, which is notable because Prairie Heights is 2-1 when he allows at most one walk, but 5-17 otherwise. Graber was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Lakyn Duke, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI. He is becoming a predictor of Prairie Heights' success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 4-1 (and 3-17 when he doesn't). Austin Abbott was another key player, going 2-for-4 with three RBI and one double.
Prairie Heights' win bumped their record up to 7-18. As for Lakeland, their victory bumped their record up to 24-4.
Prairie Heights' pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Lakeland has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .500. It's a different story for Prairie Heights, though, as they've only averaged .360. Will they be able to contain Lakeland's hitters?
Everything went Lakeland's way against Prairie Heights when the teams last played back in April, as Lakeland made off with a 13-0 win. Will the Lakers repeat their success, or do the Panthers have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
