The Berkeley Prep Buccaneers will face off against the Cambridge Christian Lancers at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. Cambridge Christian took a loss in their last match and will be looking to turn the tables on Berkeley Prep, who comes in off a win.
Berkeley Prep is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They were the clear victor by a 15-6 margin over Lakeland on Tuesday. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the team's high-flying offense, the game also marked the team's biggest win of the season.
Brendon Steele looked comfortable as he tossed four innings while giving up just one earned (and four unearned) runs off three hits. What's more, he gave up only two walks, the fewest he's had since back in March of 2024.
At the plate, Josh Herrmann was a standout: he went 3-for-4 with three runs, four RBI, and one double. That's the most runs he has posted since back in April of 2024. Another player making a difference was George Cook, who went 3-for-5 with three runs, one triple, and two RBI.
Berkeley Prep was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .436. That's the best batting average they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, Cambridge Christian fell victim to IMG Academy Silver and their airtight pitching crew on Tuesday. They took a 4-0 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Ascenders. Having soared to a lofty ten runs in the game before, the Lancers' shutout was a dramatic turnaround.
Will Snider was a force to be reckoned with on the mound despite the final result: he tossed five innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off five hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive appearances.
The victory made it two in a row for Berkeley Prep and bumps their season record up to 4-2. A key ingredient in that success has been their performance when it comes to hits: they averaged an imposing 12 hits in those games compared to only 5.25 in the others. As for Cambridge Christian, their defeat dropped their record down to 4-2.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Berkeley Prep has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 9.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Cambridge Christian struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.3 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one. Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
