Softball Game Preview: Inspiration Academy Lions vs. Berkeley Prep Buccaneers

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Previous 6 Games

04/19/24 - Away	6-4 W
02/24/24 - Home	6-5 W
04/14/23 - Away	1-8 L
03/30/23 - Home	6-4 W
04/19/22 - Away	1-8 L
03/15/22 - Away	5-6 L

Inspiration Academy and Berkeley Prep are an even 3-3 against one another since March of 2022, but likely not for long. The Inspiration Academy Lions will square off against the Berkeley Prep Buccaneers at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Both come into the contest bolstered by wins in their previous matches.

Berkeley Prep will be up against a hot Inspiration Academy team: the squad just extended their winning streak to 12. Inspiration Academy blew past Lakewood Ranch 16-7 on Thursday.

Elle Hildreth made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She struck out 11 batters over seven innings while giving up four earned (and three unearned) runs off nine hits. Hildreth was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs and stealing a base while getting on base in two of her five plate appearances.

In other batting news, Inspiration Academy got a massive performance out of Avery Bouquin, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs, four RBI, and one triple. Another player making a difference was Alexis McInerney, who scored four runs and stole a base while going 2-for-5.

Meanwhile, Berkeley Prep gave their fans exactly what they wanted out of a home opener on Thursday. They won by a run and slipped past Cypress Creek 3-2. The Buccaneers haven't had any issues with the Coyotes recently, as the game was their third consecutive victory against them.

Avery Powers spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered two runs (both of which were unearned) on one hit and racked up 15 Ks. That's the most strikeouts she has posted since back in April of 2024.

On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on MacKenzie Crerand, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run and three RBI. Ella Malin was another key player, scoring two runs while going 2-for-3.

Inspiration Academy came out on top in a nail-biter against Berkeley Prep in their previous meeting back in April of 2024, sneaking past 6-4. Does Inspiration Academy have another victory up their sleeve, or will Berkeley Prep turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.