Alabama Christian amassed twelve runs and thirteen hits in Thursday’s contest against Tallassee which is as many as they had over their last four games combined. The offensive output was a welcome sight and hopefully is a good sign as the team starts Area play in just two weeks.
Despite giving up a single, Hayes Hunt cruised through the first inning on just seven pitches as three of the four Tallassee batters swung at the first pitch. Hunt led off the bottom half with a walk and as Mac Moorer stepped into the box you just knew what was going to happen next. Sure enough, Moorer was hit by the first pitch he saw. Preston Hicks made the Tigers pay for the two free passes as he singled to center to drive in Hunt. Moorer later scored on an infield error to give ACA a 2-0 lead. Tallassee scored twice in the second inning to quickly tie the score, 2-2. Neither team scored in their next two at-bats, but a Landon Nelson diving catch in right field was the defensive play of the game in the third inning.
The Eagles took the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs, Preston Hicks was intentionally walked and the hitters behind him made the Tigers pay. Hunter Barfoot walked to load the bases, Landon Nelson drove in two with a line drive single to center, Ari Bowman drove in another run with a single to right, and Jackson McGuire singled to left for two more runs after a Kaleb Hopkins walk. Five batters in a row delivered after the intentional pass to Hicks. The Tigers scored two in the fifth to cut the lead to three runs, but a double steal by ACA scored Mac Moorer for an 8-4 cushion.
Tallassee failed to score in the sixth and Alabama Christian scored four more times to put the game out of reach. William Milner drove in a run with a productive out, Hayes Hunt singled in Kaleb Hopkins, and Mac Moorer knocked in Jud Graham and Hunt for a 12-4 lead. Moorer relieved Hunt and pitched the seventh to close out the game.
Hayes Hunt picked up the win on the mound with a solid six innings as he gave up just three hits while striking out seven Tigers. Hunt helped himself at the plate as he was one of four players with two hits on the night. Ari Bowman, Preston Hicks and Mac Moorer each collected two hits. Hunt scored three runs to lead the team and Moorer, Jackson McGuire and Landon Nelson each drove in two runs.
If the rain holds off, ACA is scheduled to play Brew Tech on Friday for their next game.