Preview: Academy of the Holy Names Jaguars vs. Tampa Catholic Crusaders
After eight games on the road, Academy of the Holy Names is heading back home. They will take on the Tampa Catholic Crusaders at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Academy of the Holy Names scored the most runs they've had all season to find success on Saturday. They put the hurt on Osceola with a sharp 15-6 victory. The final score was a far cry from the score of their previous head-to-head, which saw the teams combine for one run.
Shelby Savitt was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she pitched seven innings while giving up just one earned (and five unearned) runs off ten hits (she also only allowed one walk). Savitt was also stellar in the batter's box, firing off two home runs, five RBI, and three runs while going 3-for-5.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Maisi Sigler, who went 3-for-4 with a home run, three runs, and three RBI. Ava LaBarbara was another key contributor, scoring three runs while going 3-for-4.
Meanwhile, Tampa Catholic entered their tilt with Shorecrest Prep with two consecutive wins but they'll enter their next game with three. Everything went their way against the Chargers on Monday as they made off with an 11-1 win. With that victory, Tampa Catholic brought their scoring average up to 6.2 runs per game.
Olivia Ricciardi looked comfortable as she tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (she also only allowed one walk). She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive pitching appearances. Madison Fulguiera picked up the save, pitching three innings while giving up just one earned run off one hit (she also only allowed one walk).
At the plate, the team relied heavily on Brooke O'Gradney, who scored two runs while going 2-for-2. Another player making a difference was Bella Busciglio, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 1-for-2.
Academy of the Holy Names pushed their record up to 7-5 with that win, which was their fifth straight on the road. Those victories were due in large part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 8.8 runs per game. As for Tampa Catholic, they have been performing well recently as they've won six of their last eight games, which provided a nice bump to their 7-5 record this season.
Wednesday's matchup will be a test for both team's pitchers. Academy of the Holy Names hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .342. However, it's not like Tampa Catholic struggles in that department as they've averaged .315. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Academy of the Holy Names was able to grind out a solid victory over Tampa Catholic when the teams last played back in February, winning 8-3. One of the biggest obstacles the team faced in that game was Ricciardi, who struck out seven batters over six innings while giving up just two earned (and five unearned) runs off nine hits (and only one walk). Now that she's got a second chance to win this matchup, will Academy of the Holy Names still be able to contain Ricciardi? There's only one way to find out.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
