The Baker Gators will venture away from home to challenge the Destin Sharks at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. Baker is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 12.2 runs per game this season.
On Tuesday, Baker got the win against Pensacola Christian Academy by a conclusive 16-4. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Gators.
Joel Morse
| 03/17/25 vs Notre Dame | 3 |
| 03/07/25 vs Laurel Hill | 3 |
| 03/03/25 @ Laurel Hill | 3 |
| 03/25/25 @ Pensacola Christian Academy | 2 |
| 02/28/25 vs Red Level | 2 |
| + 5 more games |
Joel Morse made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he struck out eight batters over 5.2 innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off four hits. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, scoring two runs while going 3-for-5. He has become a key player for Baker: the team is undefeated when he posts at least two runs, but 2-3 otherwise.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Kase Armstrong, who went 3-for-4 with three RBI, two runs, and one triple. That's the most RBI he has posted since back in February of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Wyatt Straight, who scored a run and stole a base while going 3-for-5.
Baker was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .471. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Pensacola Christian Academy only posted a batting average of .192.
Meanwhile, Destin was not able to break out of their rough patch on Tuesday as the team picked up their fifth straight loss. They fell 8-3 to North Bay Haven Academy.
Destin saw six different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Jaxx Emmert, who went 1-for-2 with one double. That double was Emmert's first of the season.
Baker's record is now 9-3. As for Destin, their defeat dropped their record down to 4-9.
Destin's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Baker hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .375. It's a different story for Destin, though, as they've only averaged .235. Will they be able to contain Baker's hitters?
Baker might still be hurting after the 10-4 loss they got from Destin when the teams last played back in April of 2023. Can Baker avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
