ACA Ends Season with Playoff Loss to Gordo

Alabama Christian opened the playoffs at Gordo on Friday and lost two games, 4-6 and 1-12, to bring the year to a close. The Green Wave scored the first three runs of the game and led 3-0 after four innings. With two outs in the fifth, the Eagles scored two runs on back-to-back singles from Hayes Hunt and Preston Hicks to close the deficit to one run. Gordo responded with two runs in the fifth and one in the sixth for a 6-2 cushion headed to the seventh inning. ACA fought back with two runs in the seventh and had the tying runs on base before the final out was recorded.

Isaac Warrick started for the Eagles and took the loss as he pitched five innings with eleven strikeouts. Hunter Barfoot pitched the final inning in relief. Hayes Hunt went 3 for 4 with two runs scored and an RBI to lead the offense while Barfoot and Warrick both delivered two hits.

In game two, the Green Wave scored in every inning and won easily, 12-1. Trey Schlemmer scored the lone run for the Eagles on a wild pitch in the second inning. Isaac Warrick and Schlemmer collected the only two hits for the offense. JT Moorer started and took the loss with four strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings while Hayes Hunt pitched the last 2 2/3 innings with four strikeouts to finish the game.

ACA Closes Area Play With Sweep of BTW-Tuskegee

Alabama Christian finished an undefeated week with a sweep of BTW-Tuskegee. The wins improved the Eagles Area record to 7-1 to finish in a tie with St James in the standings. ACA will be the number two seed from the Area entering the playoffs due to the Trojans winning the tiebreaker earlier in the season.

The regulars played in the first game of the twin bill and dominated BTW with a 17-0 shutout victory. Isaac Warrick threw his second no-hitter of the season as all nine outs were recorded via the strikeout in the mercy-rule game. The senior lefty became the third pitcher in program history with at least 100 strikeouts in a season. Warrick also led the charge at the plate with a 2 for 2 game with two RBIs. Preston Hicks drove in three runs and Hayes Hunt scored three runs while being hit twice in the game.

The backups and several players called up from the JV squad played the second game of the night and continued the good play of the week with a five-inning 11-1 win. Hunter Barfoot pitched four innings for the win and Landon Nelson finished the Eagles off in the fifth. Barfoot sparked the offense with a 2 for 3 effort. Hayes Hunt scored three runs while Mac Moorer drove in four Eagles. Moorer, Ari Bowman and AC Walters each collected their first varsity hit of the season.

ACA will finish the regular season Monday at PCA before traveling to Gordo for the first round of the playoffs.

ACA Extends Winning Streak to Seven Games

After winning three consecutive games last week, the Eagles stayed hot with a 4-0 record this week to bring their win streak to seven. On Monday, Alabama Christian defeated Catholic in a back and forth affair, 12-11. Thursday began a home and home with LAMP to start Area play. ACA handled the Golden Tigers easily with wins of 13-2, 11-1 and 10-0.

Alabama Christian began the week with a wild game at Catholic as the lead changed six times in a 12-11 win over the Knights. The Eagles used four pitchers and Hayes Hunt picked up the win in relief as he pitched the final two innings. ACA scored two runs in the top of the seventh to come from behind in the one-run victory. The Eagles loaded the bases with an error, a single and an intentional walk. JT Moorer and Thomas Stovall were hit in back-to-back at-bats to score the tying and winning runs. It was the third time Stovall had been hit in the contest and the second time with the bases loaded.

Hayes Hunt led the offense with a 3 for 5 day including a double and an RBI. Carson Horn and Landon Nelson each had two hits while Isaac Warrick scored three runs. Thomas Stovall drove in three runs and tied Reese Solar for the school record of most times to be hit in a game.

ACA made a strong statement against LAMP in game one of the series with five first inning runs. Preston Hicks got the scoring started with a single to center that scored Thomas Stovall. After a walk to Trey Schlemmer loaded the bases, the LAMP starter gave free passes to Hunter Barfoot and Carson Horn in consecutive at-bats for a 3-0 lead. Landon Nelson drove in the fourth run of the frame and the final run scored from an error on the same play to put the Eagles in command, 5-0. Alabama Christian scored three more in the second, highlighted by a two-run triple by Isaac Warrick and three more in the third as LAMP pitching walked three straight batters with the bases loaded for an 11-0 lead after three. Both teams scored two runs in the last two frames for the 13-2 final tally.

Three Eagles collected two hits in the contest as Isaac Warrick went 2 for 3 with a triple, four RBIs and two runs scored. Preston Hicks went 2 for 3 with two runs driven in and two runs scored while Hayes Hunt finished 2 for 4 with three runs scored. Hunter Barfoot drove in three runs while Thomas Stovall and Trey Schlemmer each scored tow runs. Barfoot picked up the win in relief as Warrick was pulled early so he could be used again later in the series.

Game two moved to ACA’s home field and again the Eagles pounced early with four runs in the first. Landon Nelson provided the key hit in the inning with a two-out, two-run single for a 4-0 advantage. After allowing an unearned run in the top of the third, the Eagles responded by scoring multiple runs in each of the next three innings for the 11-1 triumph. The final blow was a two-run single by Hayes Hunt that scored Nelson and JT Moorer.

Isaac Warrick picked up the win as he started for the Eagles for the second straight day. The lefty struck out 13 Tigers over five innings and allowed just two hits and one unearned run. At the plate, Hayes Hunt and Preston Hicks led the way with two hits and two runs scored each. Landon Nelson drove in three runs while Warrick and Hunter Barfoot each scored twice.

With the series won and only the tie-breaker game left, ACA’s bats started slowly in the final game against LAMP. Luckily, Hayes Hunt was putting up zeros on the mound and the game remained tied 0-0 going to the bottom of the third. In the bottom half, with two outs and a runner on first, seven consecutive Eagle batters reached safely and seven runs scored as the game was blown open. The first two runs were delivered by Trey Schlemmer’s single to left and the final two by Kellen Kendrick’s triple to center. With the game in hand, Hunt kept LAMP off the scoreboard and the Eagles beat the visitors by a 10-0 score.

Hayes Hunt and Trey Schlemmer led the team with two hits apiece. Four players, Schlemmer, Isaac Warrick, Hunter Barfoot and Kellen Kendrick, drove in two runs and three players, Hunt, Schlemmer and Preston Hicks scored two runs. Hunt got the win with five shutout innings as he allowed just one hit with five strikeouts.

Alabama Christian Wins Three in a Row

The Eagles enjoyed their most successful week of the season by winning all three games played and improving to a winning record of nine wins and eight losses. The week started with a win over Lee on Monday, 11-0, then a doubleheader sweep of Brew Tech, 5-0 and 15-3.

3/21 – at Lee (Paterson Field)

Isaac Warrick tossed a one-hitter in a game that was scoreless through the first four innings. The left-hander shut out the Generals over six innings with 11 punch outs and only one walk. The offense made up for not scoring early by plating eleven runs over the final two frames for the run-rule victory. After JT Moorer scored on a passed ball for the first run of the game, Preston Hicks and Trey Schlemmer produced consecutive singles to stretch the lead to 4-0. Warrick followed Schlemmer with a run scoring triple and later scored on a Hunter Barfoot hit to finish the six-run inning. The offense continued to produce in the sixth as the Eagles hung a five-spot on the board. Hicks and Schlemmer struck again with back-to-back run-scoring hits to make the score 8-0. The next two runs were scored as Barfoot was hit with the bases loaded and Carson Horn drew a walk to stretch the lead to ten runs. The final run scored on a Landon Nelson RBI groundout for the final 11-0 margin. Hicks, Schlemmer and Barfoot led the attack with two hits and two RBIs apiece while five players scored two runs on the night.

3/22 – Brew Tech Game 1

Not to be outdone by his fellow senior pitcher, JT Moorer followed up Isaac Warrick’s Monday outing with a gem of his own in a 5-0 defeat of Brew Tech. The right-hander pitched seven innings and held the Rams to two hits with eight strikeouts. Alabama Christian scored all five of its runs in the third inning as Thomas Stovall led off with a double to left and scored on Hayes Hunt’s single for the first run of the game. Preston Hicks knocked in Hunt and later scored himself on a passed ball. The final two runs scored on an RBI groundout by Hunter Barfoot and a passed ball that allowed Warrick to score. Moorer kept the visitors off the board from there, despite having runners on base every inning. Hunt paced the offense going 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI.

Brew Tech Game 2

Starter Hayes Hunt gave up a run in the top of the first, but the offense responded with six runs in the bottom half to take control of the second game of the doubleheader. Thomas Stovall tied the game after reaching on an error and coming around to later score on a passed ball. The Eagles scored the next five runs with two outs highlighted by a Hunter Barfoot two-run triple and a two-run single by JT Moorer. ACA added four runs in the fourth to stretch the lead to 12-3. Carson Horn drove in two with a single to left and Kellen Kendrick knocked another in with a single. Moorer delivered his second two-run single of the night to extend the lead to nine runs. In the bottom of the fifth, the Eagles needed just one run to end it due to the ten-run mercy rule. Preston Hicks and Trey Schlemmer got on to start the inning and Isaac Warrick finished it in grand fashion with a three-run shot to center field for the 15-3 triumph. Hunt picked up the win with a five-inning effort in which he allowed two earned runs with five strikeouts. Moorer finished 3 for 3 with a season high four RBIs while Schlemmer also went 3 for 3 with three runs scored. Horn finished with two hits and three runs scored.  

ACA Baseball Week in Review - Warrick No-Hits Jeff Davis

Alabama Christian played two games this week heading into spring break. The Eagles defeated Jeff Davis 13-0, thanks to Isaac Warricks’s effort on the mound, and fell to Trinity 6-12 on Friday.

3-10 Jeff Davis

Isaac Warrick dominated Jeff Davis as he held the visitors without a hit and was one fourth-inning walk away from a perfect game. The senior lefty struck out twelve Volunteers over five innings as he overwhelmed his opponent. After scoring two runs in the first, ACA broke the game open with six runs in the second inning for a commanding 8-0 advantage. Trey Schlemmer delivered a two-run double for the big blow for the Eagles. Alabama Christian tacked on five more runs over the next three frames for the 13-0 win. Thomas Stovall tied a school record with four runs scored on the afternoon, a mark that has only been accomplished twice over the past twenty years.

Isaac Warrick enjoys a moment after his no-hitter on Thursday.

3-11 at Trinity

After playing the Wildcats to a 1-0 final two weeks ago, ACA looked to even the score at Trinity. The Wildcats struck first with three runs in the first to take an early lead. The Eagles tied the contest in the top of the fourth. The frame started with two singles and a hit batter to load the bases with no outs. Trinity gave away the three runs with two more hit batters and an error over the next four at-bats to allow ACA to tie the score 3-3. Trinity immediately took the lead back in the bottom half and broke the game open after a pitching change in the bottom of the fifth with five more runs. The Wildcats added three more insurance runs for a 12-3 lead after six innings. The Eagles scored three in the seventh as Landon Nelson drove in the last run of the game in the 6-12 loss. Preston Hicks and Isaac Warrick led the offense with two hits apiece while Hunter Barfoot drove in two runs.

Thomas Stovall gets hit in the first at bat of the game.

ACA Beats Catholic in Season Opener

After having their home opener rained out last week, Alabama Christian defeated Catholic 5-3 in the first game of the season. Hayes Hunt looked strong on the mound with four solid innings and the offense scored in four of the first five innings to build a 5-0 lead. The visiting Knights had the tying runs in scoring position in the top of the seventh, but Isaac Warrick shut the door to pick up the save.

After Catholic went three up and three down in the first, ACA scored the first two runs of the game on consecutive fielder’s choices by Preston Hicks and JT Moorer that plated Isaac Warrick and Trey Schlemmer. The Eagles continued to manufacture runs in the second frame as Hayes Hunt delivered a sac fly that scored Carson Horn for a 3-0 advantage. in the fourth, Schlemmer was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score ACA’s fourth run. The team’s last run came as Landon Nelson doubled down the right field line that scored Moorer.

The Knights answered late in the contest with a two-run blast in the sixth off JT Moorer to cut the score to 5-2. Isaac Warrick came in to pitch the final inning, but Catholic continued to fight and cut the lead to 5-3 on a passed ball with the bases loaded. All runners advanced to give Catholic runners on second and third with two outs and a chance to tie the game with a base hit. Warrick struck out the final batter to preserve the two-run victory to open the season.

Hayes Hunt kept the Catholic hitters off balance as he earned the win, allowing two hits with eight strikeouts over four innings. The eight and nine hitters sparked the offense as both Landon Nelson and Thomas Stovall finished 2 for 3 on the night.

Alabama Christian will play another in-town rival as they host Trinity Friday night in their next contest.

ACA Drops Series to American Christian in Second Round of Playoffs

Sometimes in the playoffs who you draw is very important in determining how far your team might go in the postseason. Alabama Christian faced a tough second round opponent in American Christian in a 4A Top 10 match up. The Patriots swept the series and did not allow an Eagle run in the two games. In the first game underclassmen Hayes Hunt, Trey Schlemmer and Isaac Warrick delivered the team’s three hits in the 13-0 loss. Warrick and Hunt pitched for the Eagles in the opener. In the final game, three seniors collected the offense’s only hits as Brandon Bice, Mason Prestage and Thomas Stovall each singled and Zac Westbrook and JT Moorer both pitched in the 7-0 defeat.

Despite the sweep, ACA enjoyed success not seen over the past few years. The Eagles returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2016, won the Area championship and finished with a record of 19-12-1.

ACA Sweeps Playoff Series Against St Michaels

Alabama Christian ended a three season playoff hiatus as they hosted St Michaels in the first round of the playoffs on Friday. The Eagles last appearance in the playoffs was in 2016 where they lost in the first round to Demopolis. ACA had only played two games over the past fourteen days and it remained to be seen whether the team was rested or rusty. The verdict was probably a little of both. After falling behind 3-2 in the third inning of game one, the Eagles outscored its opponent 22-1 over the remainder of the evening for the 10-3, 14-1 sweep.

Isaac Warrick readies to pitch against St Michaels.

Starter Isaac Warrick took the ball in game one and promptly struck out the side on just 13 pitches to begin the Eagle’s day. ACA struck first, in the second inning, as Thomas Stovall singled to drive in Jalen Clark and scored one batter later as Zac Westbrook doubled to left. The Cardinals took their only lead of the day in the third inning with a three-run homer and a 3-2 advantage headed to the bottom of the third. Alabama Christian responded immediately in their half of the frame with two runs and a 4-3 lead. The home team loaded the bases with two walks and a hit batter and scored the two runs on RBI ground outs by Preston Hicks and Hayes Hunt. Given the lead again, Warrick allowed only two more Cardinals to reach base as he shut down the St Michaels offense over the final four innings. The junior lefty finished with 14 strikeouts and allowed only three hits as he earned the game one victory. In the fourth inning, ACA added four runs as Warrick delivered the big blow with a two-run single for the 8-3 lead. The last two runs of the contest were scored in the sixth inning as Clark drove in Hunt with a single and later scored on a wild pitch for the final 10-3 margin. The bottom part of the lineup, consisting of Hayes Hunt, Jalen Clark and Thomas Stovall, sparked the offense with five of the team’s ten hits and six of the ten runs scored. Clark led the squad with a 3 for 3 performance with three runs scored and one RBI. Brandon Bice finished 2 for 3 with a run scored.

Zac Westbrook takes the mound for game two.

With the momentum squarely on the side of the Eagles, ACA looked to jump on St Michaels early and give the Cardinals little hope of a split. The offense wasted no time as Zac Westbrook led off the game with a walk and scored on a Brandon Bice double for the game’s first run. Bice would later score on a passed ball for the early 2-0 lead. In the second inning, Westbrook was in the middle of the action again as he crushed a three-run homer to center for the 5-0 advantage. The third inning saw the Eagles score four two-out runs to build a commanding 9-0 lead. Jalen Clark reached on an error and Thomas Stovall walked behind him to set up the top of the order. Westbrook scored Clark with a single to center field and Mason Prestage delivered a bases-loaded double to score three runs for the nine run cushion. In the fourth, Alabama Christian scored five more runs for the final 14-1 score. Trey Schlemmer led off the frame with a double and scored on a Hayes Hunt triple. Clark singled to score Hunt for the team’s eleventh run. Clark touched the plate as Westbrook drove in his fifth run of the game with a single to right. The final two runs were scored by Thomas Stovall on a wild pitch and Taylor Thornton who scored on a bases-loaded walk drawn by Schlemmer. Westbrook was the star of game two with a four hit, five RBI performance and picked up the win on the mound as he allowed just four hits in the complete game effort. Mason Prestage finished 2 for 4 with three RBIs while Thomas Stovall went 1 for 1 with three walks and three runs scored.

ACA will face the winner of the American Christian/Oak Grove series in the second round of the playoffs.  

ACA Wins Area Title with Sweep of BTW-Tuskegee

Alabama Christian ended a three year playoff drought and won the Area championship with a sweep of BTW on Thursday. The Eagles dominated the day, despite an eight day layoff, with 17-0 and 15-0 shutouts to improve their record to 17-10-1 on the season. Isaac Warrick starred in the opener as he no-hit the Golden Eagles with five strikeouts and drove in two runs with a hit in three at bats. Jalen Clark and Zac Westbrook each delivered two hits with two RBIs while Hayes Hunt and Mason Prestage each drove in two runs apiece.

The Eagles continued their dominance of BTW in game two as Zac Westbrook allowed just one hit with seven strikeouts in a 15-0 blowout. Nine different Eagles scored runs and nine drove in runs in the second half of the doubleheader. Taylor Thornton was 2 for 2 with a double and two runs driven in while Preston Hicks finished 1 for 1 with a triple and two RBIs. JT Moorer and Parker Mock both drove in two runs in the contest.

Alabama Christian will host the first round of the playoffs on Friday, April 23rd at the AUM Baseball Complex.

Softball and Baseball Win in Early Week Action

Softball

The 15-1 final score in no way showed how close the contest was between ACA and Stanhope Elmore in Tuesday's game. The Eagles led by the slimmest of margins with a 2-1 advantage heading to the bottom of the fourth. However, Alabama Christian erupted for 13 runs in the frame and did not have to bat again as they run-ruled the Mustangs in five innings. Neither team scored through the first two and a half innings until Izzy Warrick delivered a two-run single to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead. After giving up a run to Stanhope Elmore in the top of the fourth, the Lady Eagles responded with a 13 run scoring barrage. Rose Costanza started the fireworks with a two-run homer to center field after a Katie Chappell single opened the inning. Skylar Crews and Warrick both drove in single runs before Haley Ingram, Chappell and Costanza hit back-to-back-to-back doubles that drove in five runs. Lawson Borland and KG Taylor drove in a run apiece before Crews finished the scoring with a two-run double, the fourth double of the inning for the Eagles. Costanza and Crews both had two run scoring knocks in the scoring outburst.

Rose Costanza led the offense with a 3 for 3 performance including a double and a homer with three RBIs. Skylar Crews finished 2 for 2 with a double with three runs driven in while Katie Chappell was 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs. Haley Ingram’s double extended her hitting streak to 21 games and Izzy Warrick drove in three runs. In the circle, Costanza picked up the win while Hayley Cassidy finished the final two innings to close the game.

Baseball

ACA moved its game against Reeltown up a day due to the threat of bad weather on Thursday. The Eagles built a 5-0 lead after four and a half innings and held on for a 9-7 victory in the replacement game. The five early runs were scored on an infield error, a dropped third strike, another error, a steal of home and a sac fly. Isaac Warrick delivered a two-run single to highlight a four run seventh frame. JT Moorer earned the win with a 4 2/3 inning effort with four strikeouts and Zac Westbrook recorded the save by pitching the last three outs.

Tennis

The Lady Eagles tied Carroll in Ozark 5-5 on Monday afternoon. Molly Howard (8-4), Layne DeCapite (8-4) and Laura Stokley (8-2) each won their singles matches and Ava Rose Dean/Howard (8-3) and Stokley/Jordan Wilson (11-10) won their doubles matches.

The Lady Eagles were swept by LAMP on Tuesday afternoon.

Soccer

Both soccer teams were beaten by MA on Tuesday night. The girls were defeated 10-0 as Marcy Gregory recorded 16 saves and the boys were beaten 7-0 with Emmitt Sanford finishing with 10 saves.

Baseball Takes Three Over LAMP to Highlight Easter Weekend Competition

Baseball

The Eagles took a major step towards an Area title with a sweep of LAMP on Thursday and Friday. Both ACA and St James have one loss in the Area, but the Eagles hold the tiebreaker advantage over the Trojans. Alabama Christian and LAMP combined for 59 runs in the three game set, but the Eagles’ bats proved too strong in the high scoring series. In the series opener, ACA used two big innings to score all 13 of its runs in the 13-7 final. LAMP scored five runs over the first three innings to take what looked like a comfortable 5-0 lead, but the Eagles scored six runs in the bottom half of the third. Three straight singles by Isaac Warrick, Trey Schlemmer and Preston Hicks plated the first three Alabama Christian runs. Two LAMP errors with two outs added another three runs and gave ACA a 6-5 lead heading to the fourth frame. LAMP scored two in the fourth to retake the lead, but the Eagles put the game away with seven runs in the fifth and a 13-7 lead. Warrick’s two-run single highlighted a frame that included four singles, two walks, a hit by pitch and a sac fly. Warrick picked up the win with eight strikeouts over five innings and JT Moorer closed the door with two scoreless innings. Trey Schlemmer went 3 for 4 with two RBIs while Preston Hicks and Isaac Warrick each delivered two hits for the offense.

Isaac Warrick pitches the Eagles to victory in game one of the LAMP series.

Good Friday saw the series shift to Paterson Field for games two and three of the important Area tilt. ACA fell behind early again in game two as LAMP led 3-1 after an inning. However, the Eagles scored nine runs in the second frame to put the game and the series away. With one out in the inning, eight consecutive batters reached safely for Alabama Christian without the luxury of a hit as LAMP pitching produced six walks and a hit batsman along with a fielding error to rocket the Eagles to an 8-3 advantage. The last two runs of the inning came on a Zac Westbrook double to right that plated Preston Hicks and Hayes Hunt for a 10-3 lead. Both teams combined for just one run over the next three innings as ACA led 10-4 going to the sixth inning. In the sixth, ACA plated six insurance runs for the 16-6 victory in the run-ruled shortened game. Zac Westbrook earned the victory with a complete game, four strikeout performance and helped himself at the plate with a 2 for 3 day with a double and two RBIs. Isaac Warrick finished 3 for 3 with two runs scored while Brandon Bice went 2 for 4 with a double and four RBIs and Hayes Hunt was 2 for 2 with three runs scored and two RBIs.

Zac Westbrook advances to second base against LAMP.

After securing the series in game two, the Eagles looked to take all three in the final games of the day. Although the game meant nothing to the Area standings, it was the most thrilling game of the three. LAMP led all the way over the first six innings and held a 5-2 advantage as the team’s headed to the seventh. In the top half, Braden Alford walked, JT Moorer singled and Parker Mock walked to load the bases with no outs. Caden Perry cut the deficit to one run with a two-run single to left and Taylor Thornton tied the game with a single that scored Mock. Zac Westbrook hit a sac fly to give the Eagles a 6-5 lead as LAMP prepared for their last at bat. An error, sacrifice bunt and a single tied the game and sent it to extra innings. In the eighth, ACA scored three times thanks to singles from Thornton and Westbrook. The Eagles allowed two runs in the bootom of the eighth, but held on for the 9-8 victory. Brandon Bice picked up the win in relief. Thornton paced the offense with three hits in five at bats with three RBIs. Carson Horn, JT Moorer and Caden Perry each delivered two hits for the Eagle attack.

Softball

Thursday marked a special day for the softball program as the hitting pavilion was named for long-time coach, Chris Goodman. Coach Goodman has impacted many lives in his career at ACA and is very deserving of the recognition. The Lady Eagles hosted Wetumpka, Goodman’s alma mater, after the ribbon cutting ceremony. Wetumpka proved too strong on the afternoon and defeated the Lady Eagles, 8-1. Haley Ingram did extend her hitting streak to 20 games with a first inning double.

Soccer

The Lady Eagles dropped an Area contest to LAMP on Thursday by the score of 3-1. The match was tied at the half thanks to a Presley Lewis goal, but two second half goals proved the difference for the Lady Tigers. Goalie Marcy Gregory had 10 saves on the evening.

Track

The track and field team competed in the Race for Hunger at MA on Saturday and the boys team had several top five finishes. Demari Moore won the high jump with a leap of 5 feet 10 inches and finished fifth in the long jump with AC Walters who finished third. Zander Costanza finished fourth in the 1600m and 3200m runs while Garrett Weathers placed fifth in the 400m dash. the boys relay teams also placed second in the 4x100 and 4x800 races. In the girls division, Kate Finch placed in three races as she finished in third in the 1600m and the 3200m runs and fifth in the 800m run.

ACA Out Slugs Trinity in High Scoring Game

The Eagles came off of spring break swinging the bats as the offense collected 13 hits in an 11-6 defeat of Trinity. Monday’s game was the second meeting of the season for the two teams, but the first win for either team as the first contest ended in a tie in the FCA tournament. The Wildcats struck first with two runs in the bottom of the first, but Alabama Christian answered with three runs in the next frame highlighted by a two-run double from Brandon Bice. Trinity scored three in the bottom half to take a 5-3 lead after two. After scoring one in the third, ACA plated three runs in the fourth on two wild pitches and a bases loaded walk to take the lead for good at 7-5. Bice scored a run in the fifth after hitting his third double for an 8-6 advantage and the Eagles added three insurance runs in the seventh on RBIs from Isaac Warrick, Trey Schlemmer and Jalen Clark for the final 11-6 margin.

Brandon Bice led the offense as he finished 4 for 5 with three doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored. Jalen Clark, Preston Hicks and Trey Schlemmer each added two hits and combined to drive in four runs. Isaac Warrick picked up the win in relief of starter Hayes Hunt. Zac Westbrook pitched the final three innings to close out the Widcats.

ACA Competes in Several Sports Over the Weekend

Softball

The Lady Eagles competed in a weekend tournament for the fourth consecutive week as they participated in the PCA tournament Friday and Saturday. ACA opened Friday with a 2-0 defeat of Prattville. Rose Costanza pitched a six inning complete game for the win with six strikeouts. The Eagles scored single runs in the third and fifth frames which was all Costanza needed. Hayley Cassidy was 2 for 3 with an RBI while Costanza knocked in the other run.

Alabama Christian came up short in their second game of the night as Brew Tech outscored the Lady Eagles 6-3. Rose Costanza drove in Izzy Warrick in the first inning to give ACA the early lead, but the Rams scored twice in the first and third innings to take a 4-1 lead. Annabelle Pugh drove in a run in the fourth and Costanza knocked in her second run of the game and finished the day 2 for 3 with two RBIs. Lawson Borland also had two hits in the game. Hayley Cassisdy took the loss in the circle.

ACA closed the tournament with an Area preview against St James. Trailing 2-1 in the fourth, Hayley Cassidy and Katie Chappell hit back-to-back doubles to tie the game, 2-2. After Chappell advanced to third on a wild pitch, the junior scored on an Elayna Coulter ground ball to take a 3-2 lead. The Trojans tied the game in the fifth and won it in the seventh for the 4-3 win. Rose Costanza went the distance with three strikeouts, but took the loss against St James. Chappell finished 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI while Haley Ingram went 2 for 3 in the contest.

Alabama Christian opens Area play with a doubleheader against Bullock County on Tuesday.

Soccer

The soccer teams both hosted very tough MA squads on Friday night. The Lady Eagles were defeated 7-0 as Marcy Gregory faced a constant barrage of shots with 35 saves. ACA was able to only have one shot on goal in the game. The boys were defeated 7-2 as goalie Emmitt Sanford recorded nine saves. Dalton Hutchinson scored a goal with an assist. Tyler Bradley scored the team’s second goal and Sean Moffett had an assist.

Baseball

After sweeping St James Friday night in an emotionally draining evening, ACA played two more on Saturday in Dadeville. The Eagles scored a run in the opener against Dadeville as Zac Westbrook led off the game with a double and later scored an a Brandon Bice grounder. After Dadeville took the lead in the third, ACA scored two in the fourth to retake the lead. The two runs came courtesy of Hayes Hunt and Jalen Clark singles to retake the lead 3-2. However, Alabama Christian could not hold it as Dadeville scored in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings for the 5-3 win. On the mound, Hunt took the loss with four strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings pitched.

The Eagles dropped the second game of the day with a 4-3 loss against Tallassee. The Tigers scored four runs over the first two innings and hung on for the one run victory. Alabama Christian scored its first run in the fifth as Thomas Stovall scored on a passed ball and tacked on two more in the seventh on a Parker Mock single and a Tallassee error.

The Eagles next take the field against Pike Road on Tuesday.

ACA Sweeps Doubleheader to Defeat St James in First Area Series of the Season

After losing game one in extra innings on Thursday, Alabama Christian knew they had to win both ends of a doubleheader to own the tiebreaker over St James in the Area. It was an intense atmosphere at the AUM baseball complex as the Eagles silenced the Trojans 6-2 in the first game and held on for the series win with a 6-5 victory in the nightcap. Both teams stand at 1-1 in Area play, but ACA has the advantage after taking two of three.

Zac Westbrook readies for the tag of the St James base runner.

In the opener, St James scratched across a run in the top of the first on an RBI ground out, but there was no further damage as Trey Schlemmer threw out a would be base stealer to end the frame. In the second inning, the first two Eagles reached via Trojan errors. Jack Thomas tied the game as he scored on a passed ball and Jalen Clark singled home Preston Hicks to give the Eagles a lead they would never relinquish. Clark later scored on a Thomas Stovall single to stretch the lead to 3-1. Two more errors helped two more runs score and ACA had a commanding 5-1 advantage. Five runs were more than enough for starting pitcher Isaac Warrick who kept the Trojan offense in check. The lefty allowed only four hits and struck out eight in the complete game effort. The Eagles last run of the night came in the fourth inning as Mason Prestage hustled down the line to avoid a double play that allowed Zac Westbrook to score the team’s sixth run. Westbrook’s three hits led the offense as the senior shortstop finished 3 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Brandon Bice went 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored while Mason Prestage was 2 for 4 with a run driven in.

Mason Prestage bats against St James in game one.

In the second game, Zac Westbrook led off the bottom of the first with a laser over the right field wall to give the Eagles momentum and a 1-0 lead. Although St James scored a run in the top of the second to tie the game the Eagles responded and all the energy remained in the Alabama Christian dugout. With the game tied in the bottom of the second Jalen Clark knocked in Preston Hicks and Hayes Hunt with a double to right for the 3-1 lead. One inning later, Isaac Warrick doubled in Mason Prestage and later scored on a Trey Schlemmer sacrifice fly to expand the lead to 5-1. In the top of the fifth the Trojans scored two runs on back-to-back errors to cut the lead to 5-3. In the bottom half, the Eagles pushed across a run on a Preston Hicks single that would end up being very important before the night was over. In the seventh, starter JT Moorer retired the first two batters and even after a walk looked ready to end the game, but an infield error on a nonchalant throw kept the Trojan’s hopes alive. The next batter hit a two-run single to shrink the lead to 6-5. A pinch runner was inserted at first and promptly stole second base to put the game tying run in scoring position. On a 3-1 pitch, Moorer got the final out of the game on a fly out to Thomas Stovall for the narrow 6-5 triumph. Moorer impressed on the mound with a complete game effort in which he gave up only six hits with three strikeouts. At the plate, it was a total team effort as eight of the nine batters collected one hit while five different players scored runs and five drove in runs.

JT Moorer pitches a gem against the Trojans.

Alabama Christian plays a doubleheader in Dadeville on Saturday for their next outing.

ACA WIns Final Game of Armstrong Tournament Over PCA

Alabama Christian got a strong pitching effort from Isaac Warrick in a 9-1 defeat of PCA in the fourth and final game of the Armstrong Tournament. The junior hurler allowed just three hits over six innings with 10 strikeouts to stifle the Panther offense.

ACA scored two runs in the first inning without a hit as Zac Westbrook scored on a wild pitch and Brandon Bice scored on an infield error. Thomas Stovall scored the third run in the second frame as he tagged up from second on a fly ball from Westbrook. Stovall made it to third safely and was able to reach home on an error by the Panther third baseman. Westbrook hit a solo bomb to start the scoring in the fourth inning and the offense tacked on two more runs for a 6-1 lead after four. The Eagles last at bat produced three more runs for the 9-1 victory.

Zac Westbrook finished the day 2 for 3 with a double and a homer, one RBI and three runs scored. Brandon Bice walked in all three of his plate appearances and scored three runs. Trey Schlemmer went 1 for 3 with three runs driven in.

The Eagles are back at it again on Monday as they play at MA.

Boys Soccer Shuts Out Brew Tech

Soccer

ACA defeated Brew Tech 1-0 Friday night at the Folmar YMCA Soccer Complex as Emmitt Sanford blanked the Rams with seven saves. Senior Dalton Hutchinson scored the game’s lone goal which was assisted by fellow senior Norton Sewell.

The Lady Eagles were defeated by Catholic as the Knights scored two first half goals in a 2-0 loss. Marcy Gregory was under constant attack with 31 saves as ACA had only five shots on goal on the night.

Both teams host LAMP next Tuesday, March 9th, in their next contest.

Baseball

Alabama Christian continued to play in the Armstrong tournament Friday night at Paterson Field as they took on Catholic. ACA started the scoring with four runs in the second inning as Thomas Stovall, Isaac Warrick and Brandon Bice all drove in runs to give the Eagles a 4-0 lead. Catholic answered and scored seven runs over the middle innings of the game and held a 7-4 lead after five frames. In the sixth, Caden Perry scored on a Zac Westbrook ground out and Thomas Stovall was balked in to cut the lead to 7-6. The Knights responded with two runs in the bottom half for the 9-6 win.

Isaac Warrick finished 1 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Jalen Clark, Preston Hicks and Thomas Stovall each had singles for the Eagles. Starter JT Moorer pitched 4 2/3 innings and allowed just one earned run with three strikeouts, but wound up the losing pitcher. Hayes Hunt got the final four outs of the game in relief. ACA concludes its week against PCA Saturday afternoon.

Girls Tennis and Softball Both Winners on Thursday

Tennis

The girls tennis team won for the second day in a row with a 5-4 win over Andalusia. Ava Rose Dean (8-4), Molly Howard (8-5), Laura Stokley (8-5) and Jordan Wilson (8-3) each won their singles match and the team of Stokley and Wilson won their doubles match 8-6. The boys team was forced to forfeit due to a lack of players being present for the match.

The tennis teams hit the court again next Wednesday, March 10th against Brew Tech at the O’Connor Tennis Center.

Softball

The Lady Eagles softball team traveled to Alexander City and defeated Benjamin Russell, 11-5, for their fourth win of the season. ACA scored seven runs over the last three innings to pull away from the Wildcats. Rose Costanza got things started for the Eagles with a two-out, two-run homer on the first pitch she saw in the opening inning, to give ACA a 2-0 lead. However, Alabama Christian trailed 4-2 after three innings. In the fourth, ACA tied the game as Katie Chappell scored on a Haley Oswald single to right and KG Taylor scored on a Lawson Borland ground out to even the score, 4-4. The Eagles scored one in the fifth to take the lead and blew the game open in the sixth with a five run frame as Taylor, Annabelle Pugh and Costanza each drove in runs.

At the plate, Haley Ingram led the hit parade with three hits in five at bats with a stolen base and a run scored. Katie Chappell, KG Taylor and Izzy Warrick each delivered two hits while Rose Costanza drove in four runs on the evening. In the circle, Costanza went the distance for the victory as the senior struck out eight batters and allowed only two earned runs.

Alabama Christian will participate in a tournament this weekend in Wetumpka.

Baseball

The baseball team played their second game in the Armstrong tournament against Providence Christian at Paterson Field. The Eagles managed just one hit in a solid performance from the opposing pitcher in the 9-0 shutout. The game was scoreless after two frames, but Providence Christian scored in four straight innings to put the game away. Brandon Bice had the only hit for the club with a second inning single. Zac Westbrook took the loss for ACA.

The Eagles face Catholic at Paterson Field Friday night in the third of four games of the tournament.

Eagles Fall to Pike Road in Six Innings

Two innings did the Eagles in Friday night as Pike Road scored seven runs in the second to take a commanding lead and six more in the sixth to end the game, 14-4. ACA drew first blood as Thomas Stovall led off the game with a hit and later scored on a single from the hot hitting Mason Prestage. The Eagles tacked on another run in the second as Trey Schlemmer sent one into the night with a solo homer to increase the lead to 2-0. In the bottom half, the Pike Road bats came to life with four singles in a row to start the inning and a grand slam to cap off the scoring. The Patriots led 7-2 after two innings. The Eagles scored twice in the fifth inning to cut the lead to 8-4 on an RBI groundout from Isaac Warrick and a single from Zac Westbrook. Pike Road closed the game with six runs in the bottom of the sixth for the ten run victory.

Brandon Bice led the offense with a 2 for 3 effort including a double. Jalen Clark contributed a double while Schlemmer went 1 for 2 with a solo home run. JT Moorer started the game and took the loss as he gave up six earned runs over three innings with three strikeouts. Brandon Bice and Chase Madrid pitched the final 2 1/3 innings in relief.

ACA will being playing in the FCA tournament next week and will open with Tallassee at Riverwalk Stadium on Tuesday night.

Golf and Boys Soccer Victorious on a Busy Day for ACA

A hole in one by Jaron Craddock highlighted an Eagle victory for the boys golf team in a four team match at Lagoon on Tuesday afternoon. Alabama Christian defeated Pike Road, LAMP and Catholic in the nine hole event. ACA was seven strokes better than Pike Road, who finished second on the day. Andrew Whang shot a team low 40 while Craddock finished with a 43, followed by Hayes Finch (48) and Sully Duke (49). Julie Waldo was the Medalist in the girls division with a 42 and Megan Davis shot a 53. Waldo finished as the Medalist in a match against MA with a 45 on Monday..

The boys soccer team dominated Park Crossing by a score of 10-0 as goalie Emmett Sanford only had one save as the contest was played on the Park Crossing side of the field for most of the game. Tommy Sutterfield led the offense with three goals while Dalton Hutchinson had two goals and two assists. Norton Sewell scored two goals and had one assist while Tyler Bradley, Josh Cleland and Jacob Ryan each added a single goal. In the opener, the Lady Eagles fell to Park Crossing 5-3 as Michaelyn Manning scored all three goals with Presley Lewis recording an assist. Marcy Gregory had 21 saves on the night.

The Eagles pose for a team shot after the win over Park Crossing.

The baseball team hosted Trinity and were beaten by the Wildcats, 8-2. The Wildcats had base runners in every inning and eventually pulled away from ACA for the win. Mason Prestage provided the offense for the Eagles with a 2 for 3 afternoon with a double and a solo homer and drove in both of the runs in the game. Preston Hicks, Thomas Stovall and Isaac Warrick each contributed one hit at the plate. Warrick took the loss on the mound as he gave up three earned runs over four innings with five strikeouts. Zac Westbrook and JT Moorer pitched the final three frames in relief.

Eagles Win Home Opener on Walk Off Hit by Mason Prestage

A blown lead in the last inning set the stage for Mason Prestage to win it for ACA against Reeltown on Saturday afternoon. After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning, Alabama Christian scored five runs in the bottom of the second frame. JT Moorer, Zac Westbrook and Trey Schlemmer each drove in runs during the inning for the 5-1 lead. The offense did not score again until the bottom of the seventh after Reeltown had tied the game in the top half. Westbrook led off the rally with a walk then stole second and advanced to third on the bad throw on the next pitch. Schlemmer walked and took second on catcher’s indifference. The stage was set for Prestage to win it. On a 2-2 count the senior lined a double to center field to score Westbrook and give the Eagles a 6-5 win.

Mason Prestage waits on deck for his next at bat.

Prestage finished the game 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI while Thomas Stovall was 2 for 4 out of the leadoff spot. Schelmmer drove in two runs in the game and Westbrook drew three walks from Reeltown pitchers. Westbrook started on the mound for ACA and lasted 5 1/3 innings allowing just one earned run and struck out four Rebel batters. JT Moorer was the beneficiary of the Prestage double and picked up the win in relief.

Alabama Christian will host Trinity on Tuesday night in their next scheduled contest.