Gulf is 2-8 against Dunedin since March of 2015 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Thursday. Gulf will be playing in front of their home fans against Dunedin at 7:00 p.m. Both come into the contest bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
If Gulf beats Dunedin with nine runs on Thursday, it's going to be the team's new lucky number: they've won their past two matches with that exact score. Everything went Gulf's way against Tarpon Springs on Monday as Gulf made off with a 9-1 victory. The result was nothing new for the Buccaneers, who have now won three games by seven runs or more so far this season.
Jeovanna Carter spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered a run (which was unearned) on one hit and racked up 17 Ks. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks any time she's pitched this season.
Julianna Carter
| 03/24/25 vs Tarpon Springs | 2 |
| 02/28/25 @ River Ridge | 1 |
| 04/29/24 vs Tarpon Springs | 1 |
| 04/10/24 vs Leto | 1 |
| 03/21/24 vs Cypress Creek | 1 |
On the hitting side, Julianna Carter was incredible, scoring three runs and stealing two bases while going 3-for-3. The dominant performance also gave her a new career-high in doubles (two). Alana Delaney was another key player, scoring a run while going 3-for-4.
Meanwhile, Dunedin waltzed into their contest on Tuesday with three straight wins... but they left with four. They came out on top in a nail-biter against the Packers, sneaking past 5-3. While the Falcons didn't have the best season last year (they finished 11-15), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past.
Abby McLemore was a major factor no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out 12 batters over seven innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off five hits (and only one walk). McLemore was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. That home run was her first of the season.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Aliyah Roseman, who went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two doubles. Those doubles marked the first that she hit this season. Another player making a difference was Riley Millican, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-4.
Gulf is on a roll lately: they've won four of their last five matchups. That's provided a nice bump to their 5-5 record this season. A key ingredient in that success has been their performance when it comes to hits: they averaged an imposing nine hits in those games compared to only four in the others. Dunedin's win bumped their record up to 9-2.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Gulf has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 13.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Dunedin struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.5 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Gulf might still be hurting after the 15-0 defeat they got from Dunedin in their previous meeting back in April of 2024. Will Gulf have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more softball content.
