The Mainland Buccaneers will face off against the Orlando Christian Prep Warriors at 6:00 p.m. on Friday.
Mainland will face Orlando Christian Prep after dropping another heartbreaker against Pine Ridge on Thursday, which marked the second time in a row the team's come within 2.1 of beating them. The Buccaneers took a 7-4 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Panthers. The Buccaneers haven't had much luck with the Panthers recently, as the team has come up short the last six times they've met.
Jordan Payne
| 04/08/25 vs University | 3 |
| 03/25/25 @ Orlando Christian Prep | 3 |
| 02/20/25 vs Matanzas | 3 |
| 04/10/25 @ Pine Ridge | 2 |
| 03/27/25 vs Father Lopez | 2 |
| + 2 more games |
Jordan Payne made the most of his time at bat despite the final result and scored two runs while going 3-for-4. He is becoming a predictor of Mainland's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 5-2 (and 3-6 when he doesn't).
Meanwhile, Orlando Christian Prep won against Holy Cross Lutheran Academy on Friday with 20 runs and they decided to stick to that run total again on Thursday. Orlando Christian Prep never let City of Life Christian Academy get on the board and left with a 20-0 victory. Considering Orlando Christian Prep has won eight games by more than five runs this season, Thursday's blowout was nothing new.
Carter Reis was a major factor no matter where he played. He struck out seven batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two hits in three consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, scoring three runs and stealing a base while getting on base in all three of his plate appearances.
In other batting news, Orlando Christian Prep got a massive performance out of Blaise Schuster, who scored three runs while going 3-for-3. What's more, Schuster posted three RBI, the most he's had since back in February. Brayden Schuster was another key player, scoring three runs and stealing a base while going 1-for-3.
Orlando Christian Prep was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .474. They are a perfect 6-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Mainland's loss dropped their record down to 8-8. As for Orlando Christian Prep, their win ended a four-game drought at home and bumped them up to 9-6.
Friday's match might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Mainland has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .465. However, it's not like Orlando Christian Prep struggles in that department as they've averaged .467. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Everything went Mainland's way against Orlando Christian Prep in their previous meeting back in March, as Mainland made off with an 18-4 victory. Will the Buccaneers repeat their success, or do the Warriors have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
