The Cypress Creek Coyotes will head out on the road to square off against the Land O' Lakes Gators at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Cypress Creek's pitching crew has only allowed 3.6 runs per game this season, so Land O' Lakes' hitters will have their work cut out for them.
Cypress Creek had to skate by with only a two-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 14-run drubbing they dealt Zephyrhills on Monday. The Coyotes never let the Bulldogs get on the board and left with a 14-0 win. The Coyotes haven't had any issues with the Bulldogs recently, as the game was their third consecutive victory against them.
Cooper Neale looked comfortable as he pitched 2.1 innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. What's more, he posted three strikeouts, the most he's had since back in March.
At the plate, Andrew Farriss and Michel Latuff did most of the damage at the plate: Farriss scored two runs while going 2-for-2, while Latuff went a perfect 1-for-1 with one triple, two RBI, and one run. Those two RBI gave Latuff a new career-high. McKaide Yingling also deserves some recognition as he hit his first double of the season.
Cypress Creek always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .636. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, Land O' Lakes unfortunately witnessed the end of their six-game winning streak on Friday. They came up short against Wiregrass Ranch, falling 10-4. The pitching woes were uncharacteristic for the Gators, who until this contest were averaging 3.35 runs allowed.
Land O' Lakes also got a good showing from Ryan Mabry, who tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs off three hits. Mabry has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one walk in four consecutive appearances.
On the hitting side, Ethan Barclay was cooking despite his team's loss, scoring a run while going 2-for-2. Jose Leger was another key player, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 2-for-4.
Land O' Lakes' loss dropped their record down to 14-9. As for Cypress Creek, their record now sits at 11-8.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Cypress Creek has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Land O' Lakes struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.6 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Cypress Creek came up short against Land O' Lakes in their previous meeting back in April of 2024, falling 5-0. Can the Coyotes avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
