Baseball Game Preview: Estero Wildcats vs. Cypress Lake Panthers

Wildcats

Runs

03/04/25 @ Island Coast	5
02/27/25 @ North Fort Myers	5
02/26/25 vs Palmetto Ridge	8
02/25/25 vs Riverdale	5
02/21/25 vs Lehigh	15
+ 4 more games

Estero is preparing for their first district matchup of the season on Thursday. A feisty cat fight will be fought as Estero Wildcats face off against Cypress Lake Panthers at 7:00 p.m. They are strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.2 runs per game this season.

On Tuesday, Estero didn't have quite enough to beat Island Coast and fell 6-5.

Estero saw seven different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Sandro Hernandez, who scored a run while going 3-for-4. What's more, Hernandez posted two RBI, the most he's had since back in April of 2024. Trevor Jones also deserves some recognition as he brought in his first RBI of the season.

Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Cypress Lake, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Friday. They won by a run and slipped past LaBelle 5-4. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Panthers have posted since April 29, 2024.

Luigi Smith spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: he surrendered three earned (and one unearned) runs on seven hits and racked up ten Ks. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one walk in three consecutive appearances.

Estero's loss dropped their record down to 6-3. As for Cypress Lake, their victory was their first in the district, bumping their district record up to 1-2 and their overall record up to 3-4.

Cypress Lake's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Estero has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .443. It's a different story for Cypress Lake, though, as they've only averaged .357. Will they be able to contain Estero's hitters?

Estero took their win against Cypress Lake in their previous meeting back in April of 2024 by a conclusive 10-0. Does Estero have another victory up their sleeve, or will Cypress Lake turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.