The IMG Academy Gold Ascenders are taking a road trip to challenge the Charlotte Fightin' Tarpons at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Given that the two teams suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this matchup.
IMG Academy Gold fought the good fight in their extra-innings game against North Port on Thursday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Bobcats by a score of 4-3.
Oliver Boutin headlined a balanced group of pitchers for IMG Academy Gold, tossing five innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off six hits. Boutin has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two walks any time he's pitched this season.
On the hitting side, Dylan Galloway made the most of his time at bat despite the final result and went 2-for-4 with one stolen base and two RBI.
Charlotte had taken Lemon Bay down for two straight games at home, but that winning streak came to an end on Thursday. The Fightin' Tarpons took a 7-2 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Manta Rays.
Charlotte saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Dominic Giglio, who went 1-for-3 with one double and one RBI.
IMG Academy Gold's defeat ended a three-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 11-11. As for Charlotte, their loss ended a five-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 15-9.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. IMG Academy Gold has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Charlotte struggles in that department as they've been averaging 6.8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
IMG Academy Gold couldn't quite get it done against Charlotte in their previous matchup back in March of 2024 as they fell 6-2. Can the Ascenders avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
