The Crystal River Pirates will face off against the Williston Red Devils at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Crystal River's pitching crew has only allowed 1.6 runs per game this season, so Williston's hitters will have their work cut out for them.
Crystal River will roll into the matchup after a wild two-game stretch: they only put up one run on Saturday, then bounced right back against Yulee on Saturday. The Pirates put the hurt on the Hornets with a sharp 10-0 win. Considering the Pirates have won seven games by more than five runs this season, Saturday's blowout was nothing new.
Violet Flynn
| 03/29/25 vs Yulee | 14 |
| 03/29/25 vs Parrish Community | 5 |
| 03/28/25 vs Belleview | 11 |
| 03/28/25 vs Westminster Christian | 10 |
| 03/21/25 vs Chiefland | 11 |
| + 11 more games |
Violet Flynn made a splash while hitting and pitching. She didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out 14 over five innings pitched. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in 16 consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, scoring a run while going 4-for-4. Those four hits gave her a new career-high.
In other batting news, Athena Childs was incredible, scoring three runs while going 2-for-2. That's the most runs she has posted since back in April of 2024. Brooklyn Tidwell also deserves some recognition as she hit her first triple of the season.
Crystal River always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .600. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, Williston unfortunately witnessed the end of their three-game winning streak on Tuesday. They lost 13-7 to Gainesville.
Jayla Coleman led a balanced group of hitters, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 3-for-3. Luna Asencion was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 3-for-5.
Williston's defeat dropped their record down to 10-6. As for Crystal River, the victory snapped their losing streak at three games and leaves them with a 13-4 record.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Crystal River has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 12.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Williston struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 6.9 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Crystal River skirted past Williston 1-0 in their previous matchup back in March. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Pirates since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
