The Miami Beach Hi-Tides will challenge the Doral Academy Firebirds at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Miami Beach is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Monday. They blew past Flanagan 20-5. That's two games straight that the Hi-Tides have won by exactly 15 runs.
Anna Mesarina was a standout: she went 2-for-3 with three runs, one stolen base, and one RBI. That's the most runs she has posted since back in March. Gabriella Torossian was another key player, getting on base in all three of her plate appearances with two runs and two RBI.
Miami Beach always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .700. They are a perfect 11-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
Meanwhile, Doral Academy had already won six in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 8 runs) and they went ahead and made it seven on Monday. They never let the Lightning get on the board and left with a 15-0 victory. The Firebirds' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Meagan Villazon was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she struck out six batters over two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and not a single walk). She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in eight consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, getting on base in all three of her plate appearances with one triple. That triple marked the first that she has hit this season.
In other batting news, Anabela Abdullah was incredible, going a perfect 2-for-2 with one home run, two runs, and one triple. Lauren Ali also deserves some recognition as she snagged her first stolen base of the season.
Doral Academy's win was their 25th straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 25-1. The home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.8 runs over those games. As for Miami Beach, the win made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 13-5.
Wednesday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Miami Beach has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .566. However, it's not like Doral Academy struggles in that department as they've averaged .496. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Miami Beach might still be hurting after the 16-0 defeat they got from Doral Academy in their previous matchup back in May of 2023. Can the Hi-Tides avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
