vs
| 04/23/24 - Home | 9-7 W |
| 04/12/24 - Home | 5-4 W |
| 04/05/24 - Home | 3-5 L |
| 02/20/24 - Home | 8-1 W |
| 04/24/23 - Home | 5-2 W |
| + 5 more games |
IMG Academy Black and Inspiration Academy are an even 5-5 against one another since April of 2021, but likely not for long. The Ascenders will welcome the Lions at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (IMG Academy Black 3.6, Inspiration Academy 3.6) so any runs scored will be well earned.
IMG Academy Black fell victim to Sebring and their airtight pitching crew on Thursday. They came up short against the Blue Streaks, falling 6-0. Having soared to a lofty 16 runs in the game before, the Ascenders' shutout was a dramatic turnaround.
IMG Academy Black got a good showing from Romolo DeCenzo, who pitched four innings while giving up just one earned run off four hits. DeCenzo has been consistent for a while: he hasn't given up more than two walks any time he's pitched this season.
Meanwhile, Inspiration Academy got the win against Southeastern Prep Academy on Thursday by a conclusive 12-2. The result was nothing new for the Lions, who have now won seven matchups by six runs or more so far this season.
Kolten Harris looked comfortable as he tossed four innings while giving up just two earned runs off four hits. What's more, he posted two strikeouts, the most he's had since back in February.
On the hitting side, Sean Dromgool was incredible, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. Those three hits gave him a new career-high. Gio Cruz was another key player, scoring two runs while going 2-for-3.
Inspiration Academy always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .567. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Inspiration Academy is on a roll lately: they've won six of their last eight games. That's provided a nice bump to their 12-5 record this season. The victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 8.0 runs over those games. As for IMG Academy Black, their defeat dropped their record down to 16-3.
Friday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. IMG Academy Black hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .422. However, it's not like Inspiration Academy struggles in that department as they've averaged .315. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
IMG Academy Black skirted past Inspiration Academy 9-7 in their previous meeting back in April of 2024. Will the Ascenders repeat their success, or do the Lions have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
