The Cypress Creek Coyotes will challenge the Nature Coast Tech Sharks at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Both come into the match bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
On Tuesday, Cypress Creek needed a bit of extra time to put away River Ridge. They sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 3-1 victory over the Royal Knights. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Coyotes have posted since April 17, 2024.
Cypress Creek got a great performance from Colin McGee as he struck out nine batters over 6.2 innings while giving up just one earned run off three hits.
On the hitting side, Cypress Creek saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Everett Burgess, who scored a run while going 3-for-4. What's more, Burgess posted three hits, the most he's had since back in March of 2024. Kai Lachance also deserves some recognition as he hit his first double of the season.
Meanwhile, Nature Coast Tech entered their tilt with Weeki Wachee on Tuesday with three consecutive wins , and they'll enter their next game with four. Their pitcher stepped up to hand the Hornets a 7-0 shutout. That looming 7-0 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Sharks yet this season.
The result came thanks to JACKSON HOYT's shutout, as he gave up just a hit and racked up 14 Ks. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances.
Nature Coast Tech pushed their record up to 4-1 with the victory, which was their third straight on the road. Those victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.0 runs over those games. As for Cypress Creek, their win (their first of the season) made their record 1-3.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Cypress Creek has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 9.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Nature Coast Tech struggles in that department as they've been averaging 11.4 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Cypress Creek beat Nature Coast Tech 5-2 in their previous meeting back in April of 2024. Does Cypress Creek have another victory up their sleeve, or will Nature Coast Tech turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
