After both having extra time off, the Palmetto Tigers and the Riverview Sarasota Rams will shake off the cobwebs and hit the field against one another at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Both come into the matchup bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Palmetto had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the ten-run drubbing they dealt Manatee two weeks ago. Palmetto never let Manatee get on the board and left with a 10-0 victory. That ten run margin sets a new team best for the Tigers this season.
MaKenna Lee made a splash no matter where she played. She didn't allow a single earned run while striking out nine over five innings pitched. She has been consistent : she hasn't given up more than two walks in eight consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 1-for-2 with two RBI.
In other batting news, Caroline Craft was excellent, scoring two runs while going 3-for-4. Keleah Peters was another key player, scoring two runs while going 1-for-2.
Meanwhile, Riverview Sarasota put another one in the bag last Thursday to keep their perfect season alive. They came within a single run of losing the streak, but they secured a 7-6 W against Sarasota.
Allison Cole spent all eight innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned (and four unearned) runs on six hits and racked up nine Ks.
At the plate, Riverview Sarasota's win was truly a team effort as three different players contributed at least one hit. One of them was Brinly Dimon, who scored a run while going 1-for-3.
Riverview Sarasota's victory was their 16th straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 10-0. The wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.1 runs on average over those games. As for Palmetto, they now have a winning record of 5-4.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Palmetto has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 10.1 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Riverview Sarasota struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 13.1 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Palmetto beat Riverview Sarasota 5-0 in their previous matchup back in April of 2024. Does Palmetto have another victory up their sleeve, or will Riverview Sarasota turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
