The Riverview Sarasota Rams will square off against the Sarasota Sailors at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Both come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Riverview Sarasota is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. Their pitchers stepped up to hand North Port a 10-0 shutout on Wednesday. The Rams haven't had any issues with the Bobcats recently, as the game was their fourth consecutive victory against them.
Caden Sladek
| 02/26/25 @ North Port | 2 |
| 04/23/24 @ Palmetto | 1 |
| 03/01/24 @ Sarasota | 1 |
| 02/27/24 @ Braden River | 1 |
Caden Sladek made a big impact while hitting and pitching. He tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. That's the first time he hasn't allowed a single hit since back in April of 2024. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and one RBI. The dominant performance gave him a new career-high in doubles.
In other pitching news, Mason Peluso looked comfortable as he tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. He also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because Riverview Sarasota is 2-1 when he allows at most two earned runs, but 0-3 otherwise.
Back at the plate, Caiden Cabral was incredible, going 1-for-2 with three RBI, one triple, and one run. That run was his first of the season. Hudson Peluso was another key player, scoring two runs while going 2-for-3.
Meanwhile, Sarasota beat Port Charlotte 4-1 on Tuesday. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Sailors.
Hamlet Perez looked comfortable as he pitched three innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two hits any time he's pitched this season.
On the hitting side, Sarasota's win was truly a team effort as four different players contributed at least one hit. One of them was Mark Metcalf, who scored a run and stole a base while going 1-for-4. Metcalf has been hot recently, having also posted at least one stolen base the last three times he's played.
Riverview Sarasota's victory bumped their record up to 2-4. As for Sarasota, their win bumped their record up to 4-2-1.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Riverview Sarasota has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Sarasota struggles in that department as they've been averaging 10.6 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Riverview Sarasota came out on top in a nail-biter against Sarasota in their previous matchup two weeks ago, sneaking past 2-1. Does Riverview Sarasota have another victory up their sleeve, or will Sarasota turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
