It was another frigid night of baseball as Alabama Christian (0-3) hosted Chilton County in its home opener. Thankfully, the forecast calls for warmer temps next week. ACA had a four-run seventh to force extras, but could not pull off the W. The Eagles actually outhit the visitors 10 to 9, but seven of the Tiger’s nine hits were for extra bases including two home runs.
The Tigers first homer of the night came in the first for a 2-0 lead. Neither team scored over the next three frames as each pitcher settled into a nice groove aided by an umpire who loved the curveball. Any curve close to the plate was going to be a strike. in the fifth, Chilton County tacked on three more runs for a seemingly commanding 5-0 advantage. ACA got on the board in the bottom half as four Eagles, Mac Moorer, Jackson McGuire, Jackson Burton, and Teilan Long, all reached after two were out. Long’s infield single drove in Moorer to cut the score to 1-5.
As the bottom of the seventh approached, ACA had one final chance to get back in the game. Sam Schotteker led off with a bloop single to left and advanced to second one batter later on an infield ground out. Jackson McGuire rifled a ball just inside the third base line for a double to cut the deficit to three runs. Jackson Burton singled to center, but Mcguire was initially held up at third. However, he would eventually score on the play as the catcher uncorked an errant throw trying to nail Burton at second. Teilan Long walked and Bryson Dabney was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. Levi Summers hit a grounder to the shortstop, but the Tigers could not turn the double play as the runners on second and third both scored to tie the game, 5-5. Chilton County answered quickly as they hit the second pitch of the eighth out for a 6-5 lead. ACA went quietly in the bottom half.
Jackson McGuire led the offense as he went 3 for 5 with two doubles and an RBI, Teilan Long finished 2 for 3 with a double with a run driven in while Jackson Burton also had two hits in three at-bats. Although Cam Sutton took the loss, he pitched effectively in relief as he gave up just three hits in 3 2/3 innings with four strikeouts. Starter Mac Moorer lasted 4 1/3 innings with seven punch outs.