ACA Beats LAMP on Senior Night

Alabama Christian celebrated its three seniors before the contest against LAMP Monday night and celebrated a 6-4 win over the Golden Tigers afterward. Hunter Barfoot, Preston Hicks and Hayes Hunt’s careers are coming to a close and each senior contributed in the victory. Barfoot gutted out six innings on the mound to pick up the victory while Hicks and Hunt combined for three of the team’s six hits, drove in two runs and scored three runs.

With two outs in the bottom of the first, Preston Hicks doubled to center field to start a rally aided by LAMP’s defensive miscues. William Milner and Landon Nelson both reached on Tiger errors for a 2-0 first-inning lead. In the second inning, the Eagles scored two more runs with two outs. David Ortiz-Ramirez and Hayes Hunt both walked and then scored on a single by Mac Moorer and a fielding error by the right fielder. LAMP was able to get on the scoreboard with a two-out single in the fourth to cut the score to 4-1.

ACA answered with two more runs in the bottom half as Hayes Hunt tripled in David Ortiz-Ramirez and later scored himself on a Preston Hicks single. The home team led 6-1 after four innings. LAMP scored one in the sixth to cut the lead to four runs. In the seventh, Hicks came into a save situation after the first two Tiger hitters walked. The senior induced a ground ball and exchanged a run for an out. Down three runs with one out, LAMP chose to sacrifice the runner over to third and the Eagles gladly took the second out. Although LAMP scored its fourth run on a wild pitch, the next batter struck out looking to end the game.

Preston Hicks finished 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI and picked up the save to finish the game. Landon Nelson went 2 for 4 with Hayes Hunt and Mac Moorer picking up the other two hits. Hunter Barfoot earned the win with six tough innings and three strikeouts. Moorer produced two exceptional diving stops at second to get the runner at first at key times late in the game.

Alabama Christian closes out the season with a three-game series with MA starting on Thursday. The two teams will play once at the AUM baseball complex on Thursday and a doubleheader at MA on Friday.

Alabama Christian Defeats St James in Extra Innings

It wasn’t easy and the Eagles made it exciting and nerve-racking all at the same time, but in the end, ACA came out on top in a must-win contest at St James. Alabama Christian trailed by two after four innings, tied the game in the fifth, took the lead in the sixth, and extended the advantage to 7-4 in the top of the seventh. To the Trojan’s credit, the home team scored three times in the bottom half to force extra innings. ACA scored one in the ninth and kept St James off the board for the 8-7 triumph.

Landon Nelson got the offense off to a good start in the first inning with a two-out single that scored Hayes Hunt and Preston Hicks. Hunt set the Trojans down 1-2-3 in the bottom half. The Eagles needed the senior lefty to fight and keep the team in the game and he delivered all day long. St James scored three in the second and one in the fourth to take a 4-2 lead.

In the fifth, Mac Moorer sacrificed in David Ortiz-Ramirez to cut the lead to one and Hayes Hunt scored on an infield error to tie the game, 4-4. The Trojans committed six errors in the game to help the Eagle’s cause. With two outs in the sixth, Ortiz-Ramirez drew a walk and stole second base. Hunt drove him in with a double to right to give ACA a 5-4 lead. In the seventh, Kaleb Hopkins drove in the team’s sixth run and later scored on a wild pitch to give the Eagles a seemingly comfortable 7-4 advantage. 

Hunt retired the first two batters in the home half, but two walks and an infield error loaded the bases. Consecutive St James singles tied the game, 7-7. A second error reloaded the bases, but Hunt induced a pop-up to first baseman Kaleb Hopkins to send the game to extra innings. Both teams were retired in order in the eighth. Preston Hicks led off the ninth with a double but was still standing on third with two outs. On a 1-2 count, Hicks scored on a passed ball to help ACA retake the lead. Mac Moorer looked to pick up a save as he pitched the ninth frame. After a leadoff walk, the Trojans gave away an out to move the runner to second. The next batter bunted for a base hit to third leaving runners at first and third with one out. For the third straight time, St James attempted to bunt, but Moorer came off the mound and threw home for the fielder’s choice. The last Trojan batter flew out to left and the Eagles hung on for an 8-7 thriller in nine innings.

Hayes Hunt picked up the win with eight innings of work as he allowed three earned runs on 104 pitches. Mac Moorer picked up the save as he blanked St James in the ninth. At the plate, Preston Hicks led the team with three hits in five at-bats with a double and three runs scored, including the game-winner. Hunt finished 2 for 5 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored. Landon Nelson, Kaleb Hopkins and Ari Bowman each had a single hit. Nelson drove in two runs to lead the team.

The two Area foes are scheduled to play a doubleheader on Thursday to finish the series.

ACA Swept in Doubleheader by PCA

Alabama Christian looked to bounce back after a loss to PCA on Thursday but lost both games of a doubleheader and was swept by the Panthers. The Eagles committed six more errors in the twin bill for a total of eleven mishaps for the series. ACA falls to 0-2 in the Area with the losses.

In game one, the Eagles scored in the top of the first as Preston Hicks scored Hayes Hunt on a grounder to second base. PCA responded with three in the bottom half as they cleared the bases on a single and an outfield error. The Panthers clearly snatched any momentum the Eagles had with an early lead. PCA tacked on two more runs in the fourth and one in the fifth to build a 6-1 cushion. 

ACA showed signs of life as they strung together consecutive hits and closed the gap to 6-3. Kaleb Hopkins and William Milner both drove in runs in the inning. PCA got both of them back in the bottom of the sixth as Mac Moorer recorded the final out on just one pitch. The Eagles put the first two men on in the top of the seventh, but the next three batters didn’t make it out of the infield for the 8-3 loss.

Five Eagles had hits as Kaleb Hopkins doubled while Hayes Hunt, Mac Moorer, Preston Hicks and William Milner all singled. Landon Nelson took the loss after five innings of work with six strikeouts. Hunter Barfoot and Moorer both relieved in the sixth inning.

In game two, Mac Moorer continued to pitch and took the lead into the sixth inning until two costly errors derailed the chance for the victory. ACA scored first in the top of the third as Moorer and William Milner both had run-scoring singles. Moorer held the Panthers down for five innings on an economical fifty pitches. Unfortunately, a defense that worked for him up until the sixth committed two critical errors.

The inning started with a walk and an error on a fly ball to left field. After a strikeout, PCA doubled in a run and scored again on a sac fly to tie the game, 2-2. A second walk put runners at first and third with two outs, but an infield error allowed the game-winning run to score for PCA. The Eagles went quietly in the seventh, three up and three down.

The offense produced five singles in the contest and no batter reached safely more than once. Mac Moorer took the loss despite giving up just one earned run over six innings with four strikeouts.  

Eagles Drop Series Opener Against PCA

Although the Eagles have played fifteen games entering the contest against PCA, the season really started Thursday afternoon in game one of the Area series against the Panthers. Over the next two weeks, four teams in class 3A Area 6 will compete for two playoff spots. The other teams, MA and St James, also started a series against each other on Thursday.

Both teams had been off for at least a week after spring break, but ACA came out lifeless and PCA jumped out to an early lead. The Panthers scored one in the top of the first on an RBI groundout. In the bottom half, Alabama Christian had two runners in scoring position but failed to produce the run-producing hit. ACA would eventually leave nine runners on base through the game. After PCA scored their second run on a bases-loaded walk, the number nine hitter launched a grand slam to make the score 6-0 and effectively secured the outcome after just an inning and a half. 

PCA added three more in the fifth for a 9-0 advantage. The Eagles finally crossed the plate in the fifth as Hayes Hunt and Mac Moorer hit back-to-back doubles. ACA scored a second run in the sixth but never mounted a real threat. In the seventh, trailing 10-2, the Eagles scored twice as the Panthers gladly traded runs for outs.

Hayes Hunt and Mac Moorer led the offense with two hits apiece as each drove in a run. Hunt took the loss on the mound with three strikeouts over five innings. Jackson McGuire pitched two effective innings in relief to end the game with two strikeouts.

Games two and three of the series will be played on Friday at PCA. 

Lady Eagles Dominate Trinity in Area Play

ACA emphatically thumped Trinity in its Area opener Thursday afternoon 15-0. Although the game was close after two innings, the Eagles erupted for fourteen runs in the third and fourth for the run-rule triumph. Izzy Warrick was impressive in the circle as she allowed just three hits and struck out seven in four innings.

The Lady Eagles scored their first run on a run-scoring grounder from Elizabeth Hall scoring Izzy Warrick. In the third, the first six batters reached base on their way to a five-run frame. Lily Sconyers and AG Blackburn both delivered RBI singles. In the game-ending fourth inning, the first two batters were retired. With two outs twelve consecutive batters reached safely and sent the Wildcats home. 

Lily Sconyers and AG Blackburn both singled followed by an RBI single by Emmah Clement. Sydney Jones doubled in one and Campbell Hammett knocked in two more for a 10-0 lead. Izzy Warrick doubled in two more and the thirteenth run scored on a Trinity infield error. Blackburn and Clement knocked in the last two runs for the 15-0 shutout.

Anna Williams led the offense with a 3 for 3 afternoon with a walk and two runs scored. Five Eagles, Lily Sconyers,, AG Blackburn, Emmah Clement, Sydney Jones and Campbell Hammett, each had two hits and drove in eight runs between them.

Alabama Christian next plays in a weekend tournament in Oxford. 

Bats Come Alive as ACA Defeats Tallassee

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.

Eagles Fall to Catholic in Another One Run Defeat

After winning 5-4 on Monday, ACA dropped one at Catholic by the same score. The Eagles scored two in the first inning and did not cross the plate again until the sixth. The tying run got on in the seventh in the person of Mac Moorer, but for the third time in the game, the Catholic catcher ended an inning throwing out an Eagle base runner.

In ACA’s half of the first, Hayes Hunt and Mac Moorer were both hit by pitch and Preston Hicks walked to start the action. Moorer is gaining a reputation for the ball finding him in the batter’s box. If he keeps getting hit at this pace his walk-up music will change to “You Wear it Well” by Rod Stewart or “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar. Hunt scored as Hunter Barfoot grounded into a double play and Landon Nelson had an infield hit to help Alabama Christian take a 2-0 lead. The Knights responded by scoring in each of the first three innings for a 5-2 advantage.

Mac Moorer came in to relieve Preston Hicks in the fourth and kept the Catholic bats in check. The sophomore faced the minimum over three innings with four strikeouts. In the top of the sixth, two Catholic errors and a pop single by Landon Nelson loaded the bases with no outs. William Milner worked a walk to drive in a run and, after a strikeout, Jud Graham drove in a run with a ground out to cut the lead to one run. However, the Eagles flew out with the bases loaded to end the threat. The Eagles failed to score in their final at-bat for the one-run loss.

Hayes Hunt and Landon Nelson each collected two hits to lead the offense. Nelson, William Milner and Jud Graham each drove in a run.

Alabama Christian returns to action Thursday night as Tallassee visits. 

Alabama Christian Slips Past Trinity in Close Game

What a great way to start a busy week full of games. The Eagles hosted Trinity Monday afternoon and defeated the visitors, 5-4. ACA took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth and held the Wildcats off in the seventh for the win.

Landon Nelson faced the minimum in the first as he picked off the Trinity runner at first to end the inning. In the second, Trinity loaded the bases with the help of two hit batsmen and scored twice to take the early lead. David Ortiz-Ramirez got Alabama Christian on the board with a two-out single in the bottom half to cut the score to 2-1. The Wildcats got the run back on a controversial call at home to regain the two-run advantage. With a runner on second and one out, Preston Hicks fielded a grounder up the middle and threw to first for the out, but the runner at second did not stop at third and headed for home. The throw from Hayes Hunt beat the runner home, but the runner jumped over catcher Jud Graham and was called safe by the umpire even though it appeared Graham tagged him on the leg.

In the fourth inning, Ari Bowman grounded out and drove in Landon Nelson to cut the lead to 3-2. In the fifth, the Eagles tied the score without the benefit of a hit. With one out Hayes Hunt bunted and reached on a throwing error which allowed him to advance to second as the ball rolled past the first baseman. As the two players came together at first, Hunt inadvertently kicked the glove off the first baseman’s hand into right field. After Mac Moorer was hit by a pitch for a second time, Preston Hicks reached base after another Wildcat error. Hunt scored from second on the play to tie the game, 3-3. 

In the sixth inning, Trinity got very aggressive at the plate as the first two hitters hit singles on just three pitches. On the fourth pitch, both runners advanced on a passed ball. The next three outs were recorded on only three pitches. Unfortunately for ACA one of the outs was a sac fly that gave the Wildcats a one-run lead. In the home half, the Eagles scored twice without a hit. Ari Bowman walked to start the inning and was sacrificed to second by William Milner. David Ortiz-Ramirez was hit by a pitch and Hayes Hunt walked to load the bases with one out. Mac Moorer was hit for a single game-record third time to tie the score at four. After a pitching change, Preston Hicks drew a walk to give ACA the lead. Landon Nelson climbed the hill one more time for the seventh inning and looked to seal the win for the Eagles. Although two runners reached, Nelson coaxed three infield popups out of Trinity for the victory.

Landon Nelson pitched a complete game gem as he struck out three over seven innings. Nelson was one of only two Eagles to hit get a hit. Mac Moorer became the third player ever to be hit three times in a game. Moorer, Preston Hicks, Ari Bowman and David Ortiz-Ramirez each drove in a run.

ACA plays at Catholic Tuesday afternoon for their next game. 

Eagles Lose Close One to Elmore County

After a rainout on Thursday, ACA closed out the week with a contest against Elmore County in the FCA/Jason Armstrong tournament. Once again, the Eagles got good starting pitching and solid defensive play, but the bats continued to struggle. Alabama Christian had chances to tie it up late in the game but came up just short in the 3-4 defeat.

Starter Hayes Hunt set down the Panthers with just six pitches in the first inning and posted another zero in the second. ACA had multiple runners on base in each of the first three innings, but could not plate a run. Elmore County scored three in the bottom of the third for the first runs of the game. The Eagles answered in the fourth with a two-out single from Hunt to score William Milner and again in the fifth as Hunter Barfoot scored on a dropped third strike.

Elmore County hit back-to-back doubles to open their half of the fifth to make the score 4-2. Neither team scored in the sixth which meant ACA needed two runs to extend the game in the final inning. The frame began with a Preston Hicks walk and Hunter Barfoot thought he did too on four straight balls, but the umpire said it was just 3-0 and made Hicks go back to first even though he should have been awarded the base because it was a live ball. Luckily, Barfoot walked on the next pitch and the Panther reliever was pulled from the game. However, the new pitcher lasted for only one batter and was pulled after another walk. With the bases loaded and no outs, ACA looked poised to tie the game, at a minimum, but managed just one run and fell by the final score of 3-4.

Hunter Barfoot led the offense with two hits in three at-bats with a walk. Hayes Hunt and Jud Graham each collected a hit with an RBI in the contest. Hunt picked up the loss but had a strong outing with seven strikeouts with just one walk over six innings.

Alabama Christian will be busy next week with four games. The week will start with a visit from Trinity on Monday.

ACA Drops Opener in Armstrong Tournament

There’s more than one way to get a batter out and two contrasting methods were on display as ACA tangled with Stanhope Elmore in the opening game of the FCA Jason Armstrong Tournament. Starting pitcher, Hunter Barfoot used movement and change of speeds while the hurler for the Mustangs tried to throw it through his catcher on almost every pitch. Barfoot matched zeroes for four innings although the score read 1-0 in favor of Stanhope. The Mustangs were the beneficiary of a blown call at first in the third which resulted in their first run. If umpires were assessed runs for bad calls, the first run of the game would have been charged to the one in the field. In the fifth, Stanhope Elmore hit two solo shots to extend the lead to 3-0.

Neither team recorded a hit until the botched call at first which produced the first safety of the game for the Mustangs. The Eagle’s bats were silenced by the opposing pitcher as the Eagles never had more than one base runner on in an inning. ACA only had two real shots to score but came up empty both times. In the second inning, Ari Bowman was hit by a pitch and after a stolen base was moved to third on a groundout by Jud Graham. Next, William Milner hit a grounder to second, but with the infield playing in, Bowman was thrown out at the plate. In the sixth, and trailing by three runs, Hunter Barfoot singled to right with two outs, but Landon Nelson was thrown out at home to end the inning.

In a game where pitching and defense were going to have to shine, Alabama Christian played their best game of the year. However, the bats could not match the strong pitching performance of the Mustangs. Hunter Barfoot pitched five innings with two strikeouts and had the team’s only hit on the day. Mac Moorer pitched a scoreless sixth in relief. Eight different fielders recorded outs in the contest with just one error.

Alabama Christian will next play Holtville Thursday evening at Riverwalk Stadium. 

Alabama Christian Steamrolls Jeff Davis in Saturday Afternoon Contest

ACA played a rare non-tournament matinee game against Jeff Davis on Saturday. The two foes met Tuesday and the result was the same in Saturday’s matchup. The Eagles won easily 19-1 as they visited Peter Crump Field. The nineteen runs were the most scored by ACA since 2013. The Volunteer pitchers allowed a bevy of runners as they walked ten men and hit seven more.

Despite the lopsided final score, the game was tied 1-1 after an inning. Hayes Hunt scored from third on a wild pitch and Jeff Davis doubled a runner in for their only run of the day. In the second inning, the visitors scored five runs highlighted by a Hunt hit that drove in a run. The other four runs scored on an error, a groundout, another error and a wild pitch. After Preston Hicks pitched a three up, three down second inning, ACA scored five more runs in the third. Six of the first eight batters reached base via a hit by pitch or a walk. Jud Graham drove in the final run of the frame with a single up the middle that scored Mac Moorer.

Hicks struck out the side in the third as Jeff Davis finally made it all the way through the batting order. With a comfortable lead, Alabama Christian swung the bat freely in the fourth and scored eight more runs in the process. Hayes Hunt, Landon Nelson and Ari Bowman each had run-producing hits to stretch the lead to 14-1. Jackson McGuire was hit by a pitch with the bases juiced for the team’s fifteenth run. William Milner and David Ortiz-Ramirez knocked in two more runs while Kaleb Hopkins and Mac Moorer drove in runs with a walk and a hit by pitch, respectively. Bowman took the hill to close out the game and was effectively wild with two hit batters of his own and three strikeouts.

Preston Hicks earned the win on the mound with seven strikeouts over three innings while giving up just one hit. Hayes Hunt finished 2 for 2 with a walk and a double with three RBIs and four runs scored. Hunt’s four runs scored tied a single-game record held by a host of Eagles that was last accomplished by Thomas Stovall just last season. Jud Graham and David Ortiz-Ramirez both went 2 for 3 with an RBI. Landon Nelson drove in two while Ortiz-Ramirez and Mac Moorer each scored three runs.

Alabama Christian will participate in the annual FCA tournament next week and will face Stanhope Elmore Wednesday afternoon. 

ACA Soccer Month in Review

The 2023 soccer season began February 7th for both varsity squads with a visit to Wetumpka. For the month, the girls had a 2-3-1 record with victories over Brew Tech and BTW-Magnet and a tie with Stanhope Elmore. The Lady Eagles were beaten by Wetumpka, Houston Academy and Trinity. In the Trinity match, goalkeeper Marcy Gregory set a new school record with 51 saves. 

Presley Lewis leads the team with nine goals on the year, including a team-high six against BTW in a 10-0 shutout. Chloe Jordan has three goals while Olivia Justiss has two. Jordan leads the team with six assists and assisted all three of Lewis’ scores in a 4-1 defeat of Brew Tech. Marcy Gregory has kept the net in every game but one and has averaged 26 saves per contest. Alyssa Valentine was in goal for the season opener against Wetumpka and recorded 23 saves.

The boys finished February with a 1-5-1 record with a win over Lanier and a tie with Carrol. The team lost to Wetumpka (twice), Trinity, Catholic and Brew Tech. The highlight of the season was a 9-0 blanking of Lanier. Tommy Sutterfield found the net five times on the night while Wes Peake scored twice and Aiden Lee and Marcus Kim each scored once. 

Sutterfield leads the team with nine goals and had scored every goal on the season until the Lanier match. Emmett Sanford has played goalie in every game and has averaged just over eight saves per game.

Alabama Christian Defeats Lee in Five Innings

ACA played the second of three games this week against MPS teams as they played host to Lee on Thursday. The home team defeated the Generals 11-1 in five innings to improve to 3-2 on the young season. 

Starting pitcher Landon Nelson allowed the first three batters to reach without the benefit of a hit to start the game but responded with three straight punch outs to wiggle off the hook. The righty pitcher struck out the side over the next two frames for a total of nine consecutive whiffs. The Eagles got on the scoreboard in the second inning starting with Jackson McGuire’s RBI groundout. Nelson singled in the second run and Preston Hicks hit a double over the left fielder's head to run the score to 4-0. 

After a scoreless third, ACA scored five runs in the fourth to blow the game open. Two hit batsmen and a walk loaded the bases with no outs. Landon Nelson drove in two with a single to center for a 6-0 lead. Hunter Barfoot and Ari Bowman both drove in additional runs as the lead ballooned to 9-0. Lee scored one on a solo shot in the top of the fifth, but the Eagles scored two in the bottom half to end it in five. Preston Hicks whistled the game-winning hit by the pitcher’s ear to walk it off for the home team.

Landon Nelson picked up the win with ten strikeouts over four innings not allowing a General hit. Nelson and Preston Hicks both had two hits and drove in three runs to lead the offense. Hayes Hunt continued to get on base with three runs scored from the leadoff spot. Mac Moorer and Nelson both scored twice.

ACA next plays Saturday afternoon against Jeff Davis as they try to complete an undefeated week. Alabama Christian’s game against Trinity, scheduled for Friday, was canceled. 

ACA Too Much for Jeff Davis

ACA cruised to a 16-1 win over visiting Jeff Davis in a three-inning run-rule game Monday night. The Eagles exploded for twelve runs in the second frame to blow the game open. The Volunteer’s six errors helped Alabama Christian to the easy triumph.

Hayes Hunt retired Jeff Davis on nine pitches in the first and then helped his own cause with a hit and the first run of the game. Like Hunt, Landon Nelson scored on a passed ball for a 2-0 lead. Despite having two runners on and no outs, the Eagles failed to score again and led by two runs after one. Once again, Hunt set the Vols down quickly and the cascade of runs was about to begin for the home team. With one out in the second, eleven consecutive batters reached safely for Alabama Christian as sixteen Eagles in all batted. Hunt, Preston Hicks, Jud Graham, David Ortiz-Ramirez and Hunter Barfoot all drove in runs in the marathon inning. Jeff Davis managed to scratch across a run in the top of the third, but ACA plated two on an infield error in the bottom half for the 16-1 victory.  

Hayes Hunt allowed just one hit and struck out five in three innings to earn the win on the mound. The senior also paced the offense as he produced two hits in three at-bats with two RBIs and three runs scored. Preston Hicks and David Ortiz-Ramirez both drove in three runs while Landon Nelson scored three runs on the night.

Alabama Christian hosts Lee Thursday night in its next contest.

Alabama Christian Splits with Tallassee for First Win of the Season

Alabama Christian picked up its first win of the 2023 season as they split two with Tallassee Thursday night. ACA broke an 11-11 tie in the top of the sixth inning of game one with two runs and held the Tigers off in their final two at-bats for a 13-11 win. In the nightcap, the teams were tied 3-3 in the fourth, but the game slipped away from the Eagles as Tallassee prevailed 10-5.

After the first two batters of game one recorded outs, ACA hit five singles in a row to take a 4-0 lead. Preston Hicks delivered the first hit as the pitcher failed to cover after a diving stop by the first baseman. Hunter Barfoot, Judson Graham and William Milner each delivered run-scoring hits in the frame. After allowing a run to the home team, the Eagles scored six more runs in the second for a seemingly comfortable 10-1 cushion. Hayes Hunt tripled in David Ortiz-Ramirez and later scored on a passed ball. After Barfoot drove in his second run of the game on a groundout and Mac Moorer drew a bases-loaded walk, Ortiz-Ramirez delivered a two-run single for the nine-run lead.

Tallassee chipped away at the lead with seven runs over the next two innings to cut the score to 10-8. ACA stretched the lead to three runs as they scored on an infield error in the fourth. Mac Moorer took the hill in the fourth in relief of starter Hunter Barfoot and left two men stranded in scoring position with a strikeout to end the inning. In the fifth, Tallassee tied the game at eleven apiece, but the game remained even as Judson Graham picked off a runner at first for the second out and the third out came on a popup to Preston Hicks. ACA regained the lead in the sixth as a Hayes Hunt single drove in a run and a Landon Nelson sac fly drove in another. Moorer quieted the Tiger bats over the final two innings to pick up the win in relief. After Tallassee tied the game in the fifth, the sophomore pitcher retired eight of the next nine batters to secure the victory. 

Four Eagles, Hayes Hunt, Preston Hicks, Ari Bowman and David Ortiz-Ramirez, each had two hits to lead the offense. Hunt, Ortiz-Ramirez and Hunter Barfoot each drove in two runs while six different Eagles scored two runs.

Game two had a much different feel to it as the home plate umpire employed an “it’s been a long day” strike zone as neither team scored over the first two innings. Once the batters grew accustomed to the zone, the bats came to life. ACA trailed 3-1 after three and managed to tie the game in the fourth as they manufactured one run on a sac bunt and scored the second one on a flair to shallow right field by Landon Nelson. Tallassee answered with four runs in the bottom half and three more in the sixth as ACA could not keep up. The home team was happy to trade runs for outs in the last inning as Alabama Christian scored twice, but it was not enough. 

The offense managed just three hits in the second game. Hayes Hunt doubled while Landon Nelson and Hunter Barfoot both singled. Hunt finished the game 1 for 2 with two walks, a stolen base and two runs scored.  

ACA Drops Season Opener to Catholic

There is nothing quite like a baseball season opening day. Alabama Christian opened the year with its oldest in-town rival. ACA first played Catholic in 1970 and the series continued Tuesday night in a tightly contested game. The Eagles fell 12-13 to the Knights but provided plenty of highlights in the back-and-forth affair. Senior Preston Hicks homered in his first two at-bats and was never given a chance for a third as the Catholic coaching staff intentionally walked him in his next three plate appearances. Hayes Hunt went 4 for 4 with a triple from the leadoff spot and scored three times.

After giving up three runs in the top of the first, ACA responded with three themselves to draw even. Preston Hicks delivered two of the runs with a laser shot over the center field fence. With two outs in the second, Hicks struck again with a three-run shot to right center to help the Eagles take a 7-3 lead after two frames. Catholic scored two runs in the fourth, but Hunter Barfoot answered the call after a Hicks intentional pass by putting the ball in play and plating two runs. 

Hayes Hunt reached his pitch limit after four innings and it was up to the bullpen to hold the lead. Catholic tied the game in the fifth and scored four more in the sixth to take a 13-9 lead to the seventh. ACA did not go away without a fight as they cut the lead to one run. Judson Graham scored the first run on a bases-loaded wild pitch, Grant Cornette scored on a bases-loaded intentional walk to Hicks, and Mac Moorer scored on a Hunter Barfoot walk to cut the lead to 12-13. Catholic was able to record the last out and hold on for the win.

Preston Hicks finished the night with six RBIs while going 2 for 2 with three walks. Landon Nelson was 2 for 5 while Ati Bowman scored three runs and Hunter Barfoot drove in three.

The Eagles continue play with a doubleheader at Tallassee Thursday, February 23rd.

Rachel Rine Makes Lasting Impact on Program in Just Two Years

Rachel Rine came to Alabama Christian last year as a junior and immediately stepped in as a major contributor to the team. As a junior, Rine led the team in scoring as well as made three-pointers, 3-point field goal percentage and free throw percentage. This year, as the team’s only senior, she continued to play a pivotal role on the team as she finished second on the team in scoring and led the team in assists and free throw percentage.

In only two seasons, Rine’s name is all over the ACA record book. She finished her career with 566 points which rank 18th all-time. Her point total is the second most in school history for any player who played just two years at Alabama Christian. Rine’s 11.6 points per game average ranks fifth best all-time and her 58 made threes rank 14th on the career list. She ranks ninth in free throw makes and 19th in free throw attempts and her 68.8 free throw percentage is fifth best in program history. Despite her short time at the school, Rachel Rine will be remembered for her play on the court for years to come.

ACA 2022-23 Season Recap

Like the girl’s team, Coach Jim Sanderson’s first year saw his squad double their win total from last year with eight wins. There were many questions heading into the season with a new coach and several key players leaving the program over the past couple of years, but Coach Sanderson found ten willing to give it all they had every night. The team played with an intensity lacking last season and improved greatly over the course of the year. 

The last week of the regular season saw the team win three straight games. The team might have played its best game in the Area tournament as they gave top-seed St James everything they could handle before falling 42-54. Although the Eagles graduate three seniors, ninety percent of the offense came from underclassmen which bodes well for the future. Sophomore Mac Moorer’s sixty-made threes this year is the tenth most in a season for the Eagles.

This year’s team leaders are:

Points per game: Christian Snipes (11.4), Mac Moorer (9.9), Darius Gardner (6.3)

Rebounds: Christian Snipes (5.3), Darius Gardner (4.9), Tyree Saadiq (4.0)

Assists: Tyree Saadiq (3.4), Darius Gardner (1.2), Mac Moorer (1.1)

Steals: Tyree Saadiq (2.0), Darius Gardner (1.2), Mac Moorer (1.1)

Blocks: Darius Gardenr (0.8), Conner Mark (0.4), Christian Snipes (0.4)

Field goal percentage: Mac Moorer (44.1%), Christian Snipes (43.4%), Darius Gardner (41.1%)

3-point field goal percentage: Mac Moorer (35.0%), Devin Mosesley (28.0%), Conner Mark (27.1%)

Free throw percentage: Christian Snipes (70.4%), Darius Gardner (68.2%), Jayden Jones (63.6%)

ACA 2022-23 Season Recap

Coach Spenser Cantrell’s first year brought great improvement to the girl’s program as the squad doubled the number of wins from last season. The Lady Eagles swept MA for the first time since 2009, in Area play. ACA finished 12-14 on the season and is poised to improve next year as the team will only lose one to graduation. Although senior Rachel Rine was a primary option for the offense this year, the other four starters are ready to carry the extra offensive responsibility into next season. 

A trio of sophomores, Jaide Newkirk, Izzy Warrick, and Katelyn Sutton are already making their mark on the program as each player has scored at least 400 points in their careers and ranks in the Top 40 in points scored in school history. Newkirk ranks 21st with 547 points and ranks seventh in career free throws attempted and eighth in career free throws made. Her 87 free throws made this season are the tenth most in program history. Warrick ranks 29th with 486 career points. Sutton ranks 38th with 423 career points and ranks ninth in career three-pointers made.

This year’s team leaders are:

Points per game: Jaide Newkirk (12.3), Rachel Rine (11.8), Katelyn Sutton (8.4)

Rebounds: Jaide Newkirk (8.2), Rachel Rine (5.5), Izzy Warrick (5.2)

Assists: Rachel Rine (3.2), Katelyn Sutton (2.9), Izzy Warrick (1.0)

Steals: Kately Sutton (3.0), Izzy Warrick (2.3), Rachel Rine (2.0)

Blocks: Jaide Newkirk (1.3), Campbell Hammett (0.4), Izzy Warrick (0.3)

Field goal percentage: Jaide Newkirk (42.3%), Rachel Rine (35.6%), Campbell Hammett (31.2%)

3-point field goal percentage: Kately Sutton (19.7%), Rachel Rine (19.6%), Izzy Warrick (19.5%)

Free throw percentage: Rachel Rine (68.8%), Katelyn Sutton (59.3%), Jaide Newkirk (55.1%)

Alabama Christian Wins Overtime Thriller at Notasulga

What the girl’s game lacked in intensity and drama, the boy’s game more than made up for it. The Eagles were able to withstand the Blue Devil's charge in the second half to force overtime and then took the victory in the extra period, 50-49.

ACA looked good early as they jumped out to an 8-3 lead highlighted by treys from Mac Moorer and Christian Snipes. Notasulga tied the game 9-9 midway through the quarter, but the Eagles answered with a 9-0 run that extended into the second period. Conner Mark ended the run with a three to build an 18-9 advantage. After Notasulga hit a long one, Moorer connected twice to give ACA its largest lead of the night at twelve points. The teams traded baskets in the last minute of the half as Alabama Christian left the floor with a 26-16 lead at the break. Moorer paced the team with 13 points in the half.

The home team came out in the second half and increased the defensive pressure to help build momentum and stir up the fans. At the end of the third, the teams traded threes like two heavyweights trading punches trying for the knockout. Down 30-33, Notasulga tied the game and then took the lead after an ACA turnover with another bomb. Now down by three, the Eagles punched back with a Mac Moorer basket to tie it and took a 39-37 lead to the fourth on another Moorer three.

The fourth period stayed close as neither team led by more than three points. Late in the quarter, Sam Davidson cut the deficit to one point as he scored on a putback off a missed layup for his only score of the night. With 2:10 left, the Blue Devils seemed content to run the clock, but became impatient and launched an ill-advised three that was rebounded by Darius Gardner. As the shot left the player’s hand, the coach from Notasulga could be heard yelling “Why?!?”. ACA missed a shot and gave up a score to trail 43-46 with less than a minute left. Tyree Saadiq found Christian Snipes for a clutch three with 25 seconds left to tie the game and eventually force overtime. Notasulga held for the last shot and did not get a good look as the buzzer sounded.

In the extra session, Notasulga’s first possession ended on the foul line, but two misses later, the game was still tied. After a turnover on its second possession, the Blue Devils ended up on the line again only to miss two more freebies. With 2:14 left in overtime, neither team had scored. ACA finally broke through as Darius Gardner rebounded a Mac Moorer miss and drew a foul. Gardner hit both chances at the line for a 48-46 lead with 2:06 remaining. Notasulga scored with 1:25 left with a chance for the lead on the and-one opportunity but again missed the free throw to leave the game tied. Both teams turned the ball over on their next possessions as the tension mounted. After an ACA timeout, Conner Mark asked the official if he could move as he inbounded. The official said no and shook his head, but moved his arm back and forth like the signal to be able to move. Mark did move on the inbound attempt and was called for a turnover due to the poor communication he received. Notasulga took advantage and was fouled on the next play. The home team made one of two for a 49-48 lead with 46.7 seconds left. ACA called timeout with 20.6 seconds left to set up the winning play. Conner Mark found himself on the left baseline and with a shot fake moved closer to the basket to make a runner with just 8.0 seconds left on the clock. Notasulga called timeout twice in the final seconds desperate to get a shot off but were unable as Gardner stole the ball to end the game.

Mac Moorer scored 22 points to lead the offense with six rebounds and a blocked shot. Christian Snipes finished with 12 points, including the three that forced overtime, and two rebounds. Darius Gardner had eight points and a team-high 14 rebounds. Conner Mark ended the night with five points, the biggest being the game-winner in overtime.

ACA closes out the regular season at home against Pike Liberal on Friday night.