The Nature Coast Tech Sharks will be taking part in a tournament against the River Ridge Royal Knights at 7:00 p.m. on Monday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average, (Nature Coast Tech 2.8, River Ridge 1.8) so any runs scored will be well earned.
Nature Coast Tech had to skate by with only a two-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 14-run drubbing they dealt Hudson on Thursday. Nature Coast Tech's pitchers stepped up to hand Hudson a 14-0 shutout. The Sharks might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won four matchups by seven runs or more this season.
RAYMOND GROETSCH looked comfortable as he tossed 3.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off three hits. Those hits were his first of the season.
MARIO DEANGELIS
| 03/13/25 @ Hudson | 3 |
| 03/12/25 vs Cypress Creek | 1 |
| 03/06/25 vs Fivay | 1 |
| 03/04/25 vs Crystal River | 1 |
| 02/25/25 @ Weeki Wachee | 1 |
On the hitting side, Nature Coast Tech let BRYCE HEWELL and MARIO DEANGELIS run wild. HEWELL scored two runs and stole a base while going 3-for-3, while DEANGELIS scored three runs and stole a base while getting on base in three of his five plate appearances. The dominant performance gave DEANGELIS a new career-high in runs. The team also got some help courtesy of JOEY VANCLEAVE, who scored two runs while going 1-for-3.
Nature Coast Tech always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .568. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Hudson only posted an OBP of .364.
Meanwhile, it may have taken eight innings to finish the job, but River Ridge ultimately got the result they hoped for on Wednesday. They narrowly escaped with a win as the squad sidled past Dunedin 2-1. The victory was familiar territory for the Royal Knights, who have now won four games in a row.
Cameron Kessell made a big impact no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching five innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in five consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances with one double and one RBI.
In other pitching news, Carson Cooley looked comfortable as he tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances.
Nature Coast Tech is on a roll lately: they've won five of their last six contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 9-3 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.7 runs on average over those games. River Ridge pushed their record up to 6-3 with the win, which was their third straight on the road.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Nature Coast Tech has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 10.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like River Ridge struggles in that department as they've been averaging 9.6 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Nature Coast Tech might still be hurting after the 13-5 defeat they got from River Ridge in their previous matchup back in March of 2023. Can Nature Coast Tech avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
