The Land O' Lakes Gators will face off against the Academy at the Lakes Wildcats at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Land O' Lakes is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.1 runs per game this season.
On Friday, Land O' Lakes narrowly escaped with a win as the team sidled past Tamarac 9-7.
Leiya Rojas
| 04/18/25 vs Tamarac | 3 |
| 03/08/25 vs Hagerty | 2 |
| 03/07/25 vs Lake Mary | 2 |
| 03/04/25 vs Wesley Chapel | 2 |
| 02/18/25 vs Pasco | 2 |
Land O' Lakes let Leiya Rojas and Jaila Mitchell run wild. Rojas went 3-for-4 with three runs, two RBI, and one double, while Mitchell went 3-for-5 with three runs, one stolen base, and one double. Those three runs gave Rojas a new career-high. Jazlynne Whittington was another key player, going 2-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
They weren't the only ones making solid contact: Land O' Lakes kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 15 hits. They are 7-1 when they post 11 or more hits.
Meanwhile, Academy at the Lakes fought the good fight in their extra-innings contest against Seffner Christian on Monday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Crusaders by a score of 5-4. The Wildcats have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
Elizabeth Budine spent all 7.1 innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered four earned runs on six hits and racked up seven Ks. She has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than two walks in seven consecutive appearances.
On the hitting side, Ella Picard made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 3-for-5 with one stolen base, one double, and one RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of Nola Reilly, who went 3-for-5 with one run.
Academy at the Lakes' defeat dropped their record down to 6-8. As for Land O' Lakes, the victory got them back to even at 12-12.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Tuesday as neither team is afraid to steal. Land O' Lakes has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.6 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Academy at the Lakes struggles in that department as they've been averaging 3.4 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Land O' Lakes took their win against Academy at the Lakes in their previous meeting back in February of 2024 by a conclusive 8-2 score. Will the Gators repeat their success, or do the Wildcats have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
