The King's Academy Lions are taking a road trip to challenge the Palm Beach Central Broncos at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. King's Academy is coming into the game hot, having won their last four games.
It was a proper cat-fight when King's Academy took on Boca Raton on Monday. The Lions put the hurt on the Bobcats with a sharp 9-2 victory. The Lions might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won 14 matches by seven runs or more this season.
Caroline Duncan spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and one unearned) run on five hits and racked up 11 Ks. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances.
Gracyn Needle
| 04/14/25 vs Boca Raton | 4 |
| 04/10/25 vs Olympic Heights | 2 |
| 04/04/25 vs Cardinal Newman | 1 |
| 04/01/25 vs Somerset Academy - Canyons | 3 |
| 03/20/25 @ Dr. Joaquin Garcia | 2 |
| + 6 more games |
On the hitting side, Gracyn Needle was incredible, going a perfect 4-for-4 with three runs and one triple. That's the most hits she has posted since back in March. The team also got some help courtesy of Kiersten Zimmerman, who scored a run while going 3-for-4.
King's Academy was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .438. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .344 or higher in four consecutive contests.
Meanwhile, Palm Beach Central fought the good fight in their extra-innings game against Dwyer on Tuesday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Panthers by a score of 5-4. The Broncos' loss signaled the end of their six-game winning streak.
Palm Beach Central also let their pitcher toss all 7.1 innings and she was also dialed-in: Kacie Riggan gave up three earned (and two unearned) runs on ten hits and racked up six Ks.
At the plate, Ava Regoli made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 2-for-3 with one home run, three RBI, and one double. That home run was her first of the season. Another player making a difference was Alexia Sullo, who scored two runs while going 3-for-4.
King's Academy's win was their fourth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 14-3. Those home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.3 runs on average over those games. As for Palm Beach Central, they suffered their first road defeat, dropping their record down to 11-5.
Thursday's matchup might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. King's Academy has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .522. However, it's not like Palm Beach Central struggles in that department as they've averaged .455. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
King's Academy couldn't quite finish off Palm Beach Central when the teams last played back in March and fell 9-7. Can the Lions avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
