The Foundation Academy Lions will face off against the Mount Dora Christian Academy Bulldogs at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Foundation Academy is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.1 runs per game this season.
Foundation Academy proved they can win big on Monday (they won by 15) and on Thursday they proved they can win the close ones too. They had just enough and edged out Poinciana 4-2.
Ethan Pate
| 04/10/25 @ Poinciana | 7 |
| 04/01/25 vs Edgewater | 6 |
| 03/24/25 vs Lake Highland Prep | 3 |
| 03/17/25 @ Tavares | 6 |
| 03/01/25 @ LaGrange | 1 |
| + 4 more games |
Foundation Academy got a great performance from Ethan Pate as he struck out seven batters over five innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off four hits. That's the most strikeouts Pate has posted since back in April of 2024.
On the hitting side, Anthony Miceli was excellent, scoring a run while going 2-for-3. That's the most hits he has posted since back in April of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Barak Boston, who scored a run while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
Meanwhile, Mount Dora Christian Academy had already won two in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 5.5 runs) and they went ahead and made it three on Thursday. They walked away with a 5-2 victory over Umatilla.
Alex Wise was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. He also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because Mount Dora Christian Academy is 6-3 when he allows at most two earned runs, but 5-9 otherwise. Wise was also big at the plate, scoring a run while going 3-for-4.
In other pitching news, Ethan Priest tossed a big game, striking out nine batters over five innings while giving up just two earned runs off six hits. Mount Dora Christian Academy is undefeated when Priest posts eight or more strikeouts, but 8-12 otherwise.
Back at the plate, the team relied heavily on Weston Barrett, who went 1-for-3 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. That home run marked the first that he launched this season.
Foundation Academy is on a roll lately: they've won five of their last six contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 17-7 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.3 runs over those games. As for Mount Dora Christian Academy, their victory bumped their record up to 11-12.
Friday's matchup might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Foundation Academy has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .436. However, it's not like Mount Dora Christian Academy struggles in that department as they've averaged .453. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Foundation Academy suffered a grim 8-0 defeat to Mount Dora Christian Academy in their previous matchup back in May of 2024. Can the Lions avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
