Mulberry is 0-7 against Lake Region since March of 2018 but things could change on Monday. The Panthers will head out to face off against the Thunder at 7:00 p.m. Mulberry is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.3 runs per game this season.
Mulberry will roll into the matchup after a wild two-game stretch: they didn't score any runs on Tuesday, then bounced right back against Kathleen on Thursday. The Panthers' pitchers stepped up to hand the Red Devils an 18-0 shutout. The Panthers haven't had any issues with the Red Devils recently, as the game was their ninth consecutive victory against them.
Jazmyn Stierwalt made a splash while hitting and pitching. She tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in ten consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going a perfect 2-for-2 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run. Those two RBI gave her a new career-high.
A'Lejah Washington
| 04/17/25 vs Kathleen | 3 |
| 04/08/25 @ All Saints' Academy | 2 |
| 03/25/25 vs Ridge Community | 2 |
| 04/16/24 @ Fort Meade | 2 |
| 04/02/24 @ George Jenkins | 2 |
In other batting news, A'Lejah Washington was a standout: she went a perfect 2-for-2 with three stolen bases, three runs, and three RBI. Those three stolen bases gave her a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Kensingten Danforth, who went 2-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and three RBI.
Mulberry always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .917. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, Lake Region faced Bartow in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Friday. The Thunder had just enough and edged out the Yellow Jackets 8-7. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Thunder.
Makenna Meadows was a major factor no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching seven innings while giving up just two earned (and five unearned) runs off ten hits. Meadows was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Kirsten Aldridge, who went 1-for-4 with three RBI, one triple, and one run. Alicia Bradberry was another key player, going 2-for-4 with one run and one RBI.
Lake Region pushed their record up to 20-3 with the win, which was their eighth straight at home. As for Mulberry, their record now sits at 13-9.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Monday as neither team is afraid to steal. Mulberry has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 5.1 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Lake Region struggles in that department as they've been averaging 3.3 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Mulberry suffered a grim 10-0 defeat to Lake Region in their previous matchup back in February. Can the Panthers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
