The Sickles Gryphons will head out to challenge the Riverview Sharks at 7:00 p.m. on Monday. Sickles is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.4 runs per game this season.
On Wednesday, Sickles didn't have quite enough to beat Wesley Chapel and fell 6-5.
Zoe Mello was huge while hitting and pitching even without the win. She struck out seven batters over six innings while giving up just two earned (and four unearned) runs off six hits. Mello was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-2 with two RBI.
In other batting news, Kalyssa Austin made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 2-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI. Another player making a difference was Taylor Morrissey, who went 1-for-3 with one stolen base and one run.
Meanwhile, Riverview waltzed into their contest on Wednesday with three straight wins... but they left with four. They were the clear victors by a 19-6 margin over the Titans. That's two games straight that the Sharks have won by exactly 13 runs.
Alivia Garry was a standout: she went 3-for-5 with one home run, three runs, and three RBI. Those three RBI gave her a new career-high. Cecilia Cartwright also deserves some recognition as she hit her first double of the season.
Riverview always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .558. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Tampa Bay Tech only posted an OBP of .308.
Sickles' defeat dropped their record down to 9-16. As for Riverview, their win bumped their record up to 13-7.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Monday as neither team is afraid to steal. Sickles has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.7 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Riverview struggles in that department as they've been averaging 4.2 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Sickles couldn't quite finish off Riverview in their previous meeting back in February of 2024 and fell 2-0. Can the Gryphons avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
