Baseball Game Preview: Lakeland Lakers vs. Westview Warriors

Lakers

Runs

04/16/25 vs Northridge	7
04/11/25 @ Lakewood Park Christian	20
04/10/25 vs Sturgis	10
04/01/25 @ Concord	2

Lakeland hasn't had much luck against Westview recently, but that could start to change on Thursday. The Lakers will face off against the Warriors at 5:30 p.m. Lakeland is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 9.8 runs per game this season.

Lakeland's usually-dominant pitching crew will be looking to make up for Wednesday's struggle, when Northridge hitters got past them. The Lakers came up short against the Raiders on Wednesday, falling 15-7. The loss was the Lakers' first of the season.

Lakeland saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Drannon Miller, who scored a run and stole a base while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances. Another was Garrett Pieri, who scored a run and stole a base while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.

Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Westview). They came out on top against Garrett by a score of 8-4 on Wednesday. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the team's high-flying offense, the game also marked the team's biggest victory of the season.

Gavin Engle made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one hit in three consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, scoring a run while going 1-for-3. That run marked the first that he scored this season.

Westview's record is now 3-1. As for Lakeland, their defeat was their first of the season and also makes their record 3-1.

Westview's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Lakeland has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .522. It's a different story for Westview, though, as they've only averaged .289. Will they be able to contain Lakeland's hitters?

Lakeland might still be hurting after the 12-5 loss they got from Westview in their previous matchup back in April of 2024. Can the Lakers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.