Leesburg is 0-10 against Lake Minneola since March of 2021 but things could change on Thursday. The Yellow Jackets will challenge the Hawks at 7:00 p.m. Leesburg has given up an average of 10.8 runs per game this season, but Thursday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Leesburg came into their game on Monday off a hard-fought close win, but unfortunately suffered a serious change of fortune. They came up short against Mount Dora, falling 15-0.
Meanwhile, Lake Minneola hadn't done well against Montverde Academy recently (they were 0-6 in their previous six matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Wednesday. The Hawks blew past the Eagles 9-2. Considering the Hawks have won seven games by more than five runs this season, Wednesday's blowout was nothing new.
Jacob Cali made a big impact no matter where he played. He tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two walks in eight consecutive appearances. He was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. That's the most runs he has posted since back in February.
In other pitching news, Lake Minneola got a great performance from Brady Montrowl as he struck out ten batters over five innings while giving up just two earned runs off two hits. Montrowl has been consistent : he hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in eight consecutive appearances.
Cali wasn't the only one making solid contact as eight players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Colson May, who went 1-for-3 with two runs and one triple. That's the most runs May has posted since back in February. Another was Chase Dougherty, who scored a run and stole a base while going 1-for-4.
Lake Minneola kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their hit total in three consecutive matchups.
Lake Minneola is on a roll lately: they've won nine of their last ten contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 17-6 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.8 runs on average over those games. As for Leesburg, their defeat dropped their record down to 3-15.
Leesburg might still be hurting after the 11-0 loss they got from Lake Minneola in their previous meeting last Wednesday. Can the Yellow Jackets avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
