vs
| 04/29/24 - Home | 10-1 W |
| 02/26/24 - Away | 7-1 W |
| 05/02/22 - Neutral | 16-1 W |
Indian Rocks Christian is a perfect 3-0 against Lakeside Christian since May of 2022 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Thursday. The Eagles will welcome the Lions at 6:30 p.m. The two teams each escaped (but just barely!) with wins against their previous opponents.
While Indian Rocks Christian's win against Grace Christian wasn't quite the blowout it was the last time the pair played, they still came out on top. The Eagles won by a run and slipped past the Patriots 3-2.
Ethan Beswetherick tossed a big game, tossing 4.2 innings while giving up just one earned run off one hit. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two hits in eight consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Indian Rocks Christian saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Austin Leiher, who scored a run while going 1-for-2.
Meanwhile, Lakeside Christian hadn't done well against Seven Rivers Christian recently (they were 2-7 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Tuesday. The Lions never let the Warriors get on the board and left with a 1-0 victory. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Lions have posted since February 20th.
Chris Aguilera Pena made a splash no matter where he played. He pitched 1.1 innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. He also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because Lakeside Christian is 2-1 when he allows at most one earned run, but 5-7 otherwise. Aguilera Pena was also big at the plate, scoring a run while going 2-for-3. The dominant performance also gave him a new career-high in doubles (two).
Lakeside Christian kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Seven Rivers Christian only managed four hits.
Indian Rocks Christian's victory bumped their record up to 13-10-1. As for Lakeside Christian, their win bumped their record up to 7-8.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Indian Rocks Christian has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Lakeside Christian struggles in that department as they've been averaging 6.9 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Indian Rocks Christian took their victory against Lakeside Christian in their previous matchup back in April of 2024 by a conclusive 10-1 score. Do the Eagles have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Lions turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
