Lakewood is 8-2 against Southeast since March of 2017 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Friday. The Spartans will look to defend their home field against the Seminoles at 7:00 p.m. Lakewood will be strutting in after a win while Southeast will be coming in after a defeat.
Lakewood was handed a heart-breaking two-run loss in their last contest, but they sure didn't let that happen against Gibbs on Tuesday. The Spartans put the hurt on the Gladiators with a sharp 19-7 victory.
David Bell
| 04/08/25 @ Gibbs | 6 |
| 02/27/24 @ Southeast | 5 |
| 03/07/25 vs Clearwater | 2 |
| 02/25/25 @ Northeast | 2 |
| 04/22/24 @ Boca Ciega | 2 |
David Bell made a splash no matter where he played. On the mound, he kept things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out six over four innings pitched. Those six strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was also big at the plate, scoring two runs while going 3-for-5. He also put up two doubles, which were his first of the season.
In other batting news, Lakewood got a massive performance out of Jonathan Jacomino, who got on base in all five of his plate appearances with three RBI, two runs, and one triple. What's more, Jacomino posted three hits, the most he's had since back in February. Another player making a difference was Mikal Morris, who scored four runs and stole a base while getting on base in three of his five plate appearances.
Meanwhile, Southeast was not able to break out of their rough patch last Tuesday as the team picked up their seventh straight defeat. They lost 15-9 to Sarasota Military Academy. On the bright side, the nine- run effort marked the Seminoles' highest-scoring game to date.
Like Lakewood, Southeast also got a great game from a two-way player: Franklyn Rosa. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out nine batters over six innings while giving up just two earned (and nine unearned) runs off 11 hits. What's more, Rosa gave up only two walks, the fewest he's had since back in February. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with two stolen bases and two RBI.
Rosa wasn't the only one making solid contact as two players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Adrian Beltran, who went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one triple. Brian Herrera was another, scoring two runs and stealing a base while getting on base in two of his three plate appearances.
Southeast's loss dropped their record down to 2-14. As for Lakewood, their win bumped their record up to 5-13.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Friday as neither team is afraid to steal. Lakewood has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 2.7 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Southeast struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 5 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Lakewood skirted past Southeast 11-10 in their previous meeting back in April of 2024. Do the Spartans have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Seminoles turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
