The Freedom Patriots will take on the Innovation Bulls at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday.
Freedom lost 10-3 to Lake Buena Vista on Tuesday.
Allison Smith put in work no matter where she played. She struck out nine batters over seven innings while giving up four earned (and six unearned) runs off eight hits. Those hits marked the first that she allowed this season. She was also big at the plate, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 2-for-3.
In other batting news, Kaylin Braasch was cooking despite her team's loss, scoring two runs and stealing two bases while going 2-for-4.
Meanwhile, Innovation won against Lake Nona on Friday with 11 runs and they decided to stick to that run total again on Monday. The Bulls beat Winter Park by the very same score they won with in their prior game: 11-6. Winning may never get old, but the Bulls sure are getting used to it with their third in a row.
Berit Acker spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered five earned (and one unearned) runs on seven hits and racked up nine Ks. She has been consistent : she hasn't tossed less than nine strikeouts in five consecutive appearances.
On the hitting side, Innovation got a massive performance out of Guiliana Rodriguez Fernandez, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with three runs, one triple, and one RBI. That's the most hits Rodriguez Fernandez has posted since back in March. Izabel Solis was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 3-for-4.
Innovation was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .424. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Winter Park only posted a batting average of .286.
Innovation's win was their fourth straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 11-6. The road victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.8 runs on average over those games. As for Freedom, their defeat dropped their record down to 2-18.
Thursday's matchup might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Freedom has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .437. However, it's not like Innovation struggles in that department as they've averaged .456. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Freedom might still be hurting after the 22-2 loss they got from Innovation in their previous matchup two weeks ago. Can the Patriots avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
