The Inspiration Academy Lions will venture away from home to face off against the Riverview Sarasota Rams at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Inspiration Academy is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.6 runs per game this season.
On Friday, Inspiration Academy needed a bit of extra time to put away IMG Academy Black. They had just enough and edged out the Ascenders 5-3. The game was the first time the Lions have beaten the Ascenders on their field since April 5, 2024.

Jackson Bradley
04/04/25 @ IMG Academy Black | 2 |
03/18/25 vs Mulberry | 0 |
03/12/25 vs Avon Park | 2 |
03/05/25 @ IMG Academy Gray | 2 |
02/28/25 @ Palmetto | 1 |
02/20/25 @ IMG Academy Royal | 2 |
Inspiration Academy got a great performance from Jackson Bradley as he struck out seven batters over seven innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off eight hits. Bradley has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive appearances.
On the hitting side, Ty Harvey was incredible, going a perfect 4-for-4 with one home run, three runs, and two doubles. That's the most runs he has posted since back in February. Evan Okuhara was another key player, scoring a run while going 2-for-4.
Meanwhile, Riverview Sarasota didn't have quite enough to beat Island Coast on Tuesday and fell 6-5.
Alastair Simonson was cooking despite his team's loss, going 2-for-3 with one triple, two RBI, and one run. Andrew Rhymestine also deserves some recognition as he scored his first runs of the season.
Inspiration Academy is on a roll lately: they've won seven of their last nine games. That's provided a nice bump to their 13-5 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.4 runs on average over those games. As for Riverview Sarasota, they have traveled a rocky road recently, having lost 11 of their last 13 contests. That's put a noticeable dent in their 5-17 record this season.
Riverview Sarasota's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Inspiration Academy has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .433. It's a different story for Riverview Sarasota, though, as they've only averaged .335. Will they be able to contain Inspiration Academy's hitters?
Inspiration Academy skirted past Riverview Sarasota 1-0 when the teams last played back in March of 2022. Will the Lions repeat their success, or do the Rams have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.