Bulldogs
| 04/21/25 vs Lemon Bay | 6 |
| 04/15/25 @ Avon Park | 3 |
| 04/14/25 vs Bayshore | 25 |
| 04/10/25 @ Hardee | 4 |
| 04/08/25 @ Ida Baker | 14 |
| + 14 more games |
The DeSoto County Bulldogs will head out on the road to face off against the Bonita Springs Bullsharks at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. DeSoto County is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 9.2 runs per game this season.
DeSoto County took a ten-run defeat the last time they faced off against Lemon Bay, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. The Bulldogs won by a run and slipped past the Manta Rays 6-5.
Caleigh Jo Duke spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned (and three unearned) runs on nine hits. She has been consistent: she hasn't given up more than two walks in seven consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Emery Skinner was excellent, going 2-for-3 with two runs and one double.
Meanwhile, Bonita Springs came into Monday's matchup having lost 11 straight, but that streak is now in the rearview. They blew past South Fort Myers 23-2 last Monday. The Bullsharks' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Madelyn DeFrancesco looked comfortable as she pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits.
On the hitting side, Angelina Magnuson and Ariana Bandera did most of the damage at the plate: Magnuson fired off two home runs, seven RBI, and three runs while going 3-for-3, while Bandera went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, five RBI, and three runs. Those five RBI gave Bandera a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Evelyn Balentine, who got on base in all three of her plate appearances with three runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
Bonita Springs kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 13 hits. That's a new trend for them: they were averaging 5.1 hits per game earlier this season, but in their last 15 games they've averaged 9.2.
DeSoto County pushed their record up to 13-6 with the victory, which was their fourth straight at home. The home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.8 runs on average over those games. As for Bonita Springs, their record now sits at 2-14.
DeSoto County took their victory against Bonita Springs in their previous meeting back in February by a conclusive 10-1 score. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Bulldogs since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
