Laurel is 0-3 against Lakeside since April of 2023 but things could change on Saturday. The Gators are taking a road trip to challenge the Dragons at 11:00 a.m. Laurel is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 11.2 runs per game this season.
Laurel gave up the first runs on Friday, but they didn't let that get them down. They walked away with a 13-10 win over Beaumont School.
Kemy Cistone
| 05/08/26 @ Beaumont School | 1 |
| 05/07/26 @ Brush | 1 |
| 04/28/26 vs Aquinas | 1 |
| 04/27/26 vs Western Reserve Academy | 4 |
| 04/24/26 vs Harvey | 1 |
| 04/18/26 vs Cleveland Heights | 3 |
Laurel let Mia Kwon and Kemy Cistone run wild. Kwon went 1-for-4 with four runs and one double, while Cistone went 2-for-5 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double. Cistone has been hot, having posted at least one stolen base the last six times she's played. Another player making a difference was Violet Vitale, who went 1-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.
They weren't the only ones making solid contact: Laurel kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. They are 8-1 when they post 11 or more hits.
Meanwhile, Lakeside came into Thursday's contest having lost five straight, but that streak is now in the rearview. They won by a run and slipped past Struthers 12-11. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Dragons have posted against the Wildcats since April 4, 2019.
Lakeside's win was truly a team effort as five different players contributed at least one hit. One of them was Lyla Hamilton, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with four stolen bases, three runs, and four RBI. Those four hits gave Hamilton a new career-high. Keeley Faenza was another, going 2-for-4 with two runs, two RBI, and one double.
Laurel's record is now 9-5. As for Lakeside, their record now sits at 3-11.
Lakeside's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Laurel has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 11.1 hits per game. It's a different story for Lakeside, though, as they've been averaging 9.9 hits. Given Laurel's sizable advantage in that area, the Dragons will need to find a way to close that gap.
Laurel might still be hurting after the 18-6 loss they got from Lakeside in their previous matchup back in May of 2025. Can the Gators avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
