Baker is 0-10 against Jay since April of 2019 but things could change on Monday. The Gators will square off against the Royals at 6:30 p.m. Baker is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 11.6 runs per game this season.
Baker will bounce into Monday's contest after beating Paxton, who they had gone 0-5 against in their five prior meetings. The Gators walked away with a 14-9 win over the Bobcats on Friday. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Gators.
Maddox Smith
| 03/03/25 @ Laurel Hill | 3 |
| 02/28/25 vs Red Level | 3 |
| 04/04/25 vs Paxton | 2 |
| 04/01/25 @ Red Level | 2 |
| 03/25/25 @ Pensacola Christian Academy | 2 |
| + 6 more games |
Maddox Smith was incredible, going 1-for-3 with four RBI, two runs, and one stolen base. He has become a key player for Baker: the team is undefeated when he posts at least two runs, but 2-5 otherwise. The team also got some help courtesy of Riley Renfro, who scored two runs and stole a base while getting on base in two of his four plate appearances.
Baker always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .528. That was just more of the same: they've now posted an OBP of .500 or higher in three consecutive matches.
Meanwhile, Jay was not able to break out of their rough patch on Saturday as the team picked up their third straight loss. They took a 6-3 hit to the loss column at the hands of Chipley. Royals fans who chose to attend the game sure picked the wrong one: it was the first time the team's lost against the Tigers since on Saturday.
Brady Godwin put in work no matter where he played. He pitched 1.2 innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up a single hit in four consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, scoring two runs and stealing two bases while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
In other batting news, Cooper Harrison made the most of his time at bat despite the final result and went 2-for-4 with three RBI and one stolen base. Another player making a difference was Grayson Shehan, who scored a run and stole a base while going 2-for-4.
Baker pushed their record up to 11-5 with the victory, which was their sixth straight at home. Those home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 14.0 runs over those games. As for Jay, their defeat dropped their record down to 10-10.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Monday as neither team is afraid to steal. Baker has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 4.1 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Jay struggles in that department as they've been averaging 3.8 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Baker might still be hurting after the 11-1 loss they got from Jay in their previous matchup back in April of 2024. Can the Gators avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
