ACA Survives Day One of State

ACA was playing in the State playoffs for the 23rd time in program history, but felt a little out of water as they had to travel to another city for the first time. In past years, the Eagles were accustomed to warming up on their own field and making the five minute drive to Lagoon Park to compete for State championships, but this year they made the three hour trek to Oxford.

Alabama Christian's day began against Etowah. Pitching dominated the game and the Lady Devils did just enough hitting to beat ACA 3-0. Etowah decided to pitch around Haley Ingram and went after the rest of the lineup and their strategy worked as the Eagle bats were silent. The game was scoreless over the first three innings when starter Rose Costanza worked out of a second inning jam as Etowah wasted a leadoff triple and looked like she was about to do it again in the fourth. Once again, Etowah led off with a triple followed by a walk, but a line drive, double play to Izzy Warrick at short erased the runner on third. However, the next batter launched the very next pitch over the right field fence for the 2-0 lead. Etowah added a run in the sixth to stretch the lead to 3-0.

ACA's only serious threat to score came in the bottom of the sixth as Skylar Crews and Lawson Borland opened the frame with back-to-back walks. With runners on, Etowah had to pitch to Ingram who delivered one of only two Eagle hits of the contest to load the bases with no outs. The next two batters struck out to become the eleventh and twelfth victims of the Etowah starter and the inning ended with a pop out to second base. With the loss, Alabama Christian dropped to the loser's bracket and would have to go the long way to defend its title.

The second game of the day was the exact opposite of the previous contest. ACA and Haleyville combined for twenty-four runs and scored in every half-inning except the top of the first. Starter Izzy Warrick pitched a one-two-three first inning to get the Alabama Christian offense to the plate. Warrick would single in the bottom half and later score on a Rose Costanza ground out for the 1-0 lead. Haleyville evened the score in their half of the second on the first of five Eagle errors. Haley Oswald gave the lead right back to ACA as she singled in Lawson Borland and the Eagles led 2-1 after two.

The Lions scored three runs in the third on three hits and another ACA error. Trailing 4-2, the Lady Eagles exploded for nine runs in the at bat to take a commanding 11-4 lead. After the first batter was retired, eight consecutive batters reached safely. Rose Costanza started the streak with a single to left followed by Hayley Cassidy reaching on an infield error. Annabelle Pugh doubled in Costanza and KG Taylor singled to center scoring Cassidy and Pugh for the 5-4 lead. After Skylar Crews was hit by a pitch, Haley Oswald, Haley Ingram and Izzy Warrick produced three straight hits to stretch the lead to 9-4. The last two runs of the inning were products of a Costanza double and a Cassidy single which gave Alabama Christian a seven run cushion.

After Haleyville scored one run in the top of the fourth, Rose Costanza relieved Izzy Warrick and allowed just one more for an 11-6 lead heading to the home half of the fourth. Haley Ingram got the two back with a double to center that scored KG Taylor and Skylar Crews for a 13-6 advantage. The Lions scored one in their next at bat, but ACA ended it with four runs in the fifth for the run-rule win. Annabelle Pugh and Taylor both drove in single runs and Ingram sent Haleyville home with a two-run single and the 17-7 triumph.

Haley Ingram finished 3 for 5 with a double and five RBIs while Haley Oswald was 3 for 3 with two runs driven in. Annabelle Pugh and KG Taylor were each 3 for 4 with four runs scored and five driven in between the duo. Izzy Warrick picked up the win and Rose Costanza was solid in relief as she fanned four of the five outs in her 1 2/3 inning stint.

The final game of the day was against a familiar opponent as the Lady Eagles battled with the Golden Tigers of LAMP. ACA couldn’t beat LAMP in the regular season, but were looking for their third consecutive postseason victory over the Area foe on Wednesday. Alabama Christian sent LAMP home for the summer with a 2-1 win and advanced to day two of the playoffs with only four teams remaining.

The match up figured to be a tight, low scoring affair with pitching and defense dominating play. After Rose Costanza faced the minimum number of batters in the first, Coach Goodman pulled the starter after the first two Golden Tigers reached base in the second and handed the ball to Izzy Warrick. LAMP would score one run in the inning off an error, but would not score again. Neither offense could get anything going until ACA came to bat in the top of the fifth. With one out, KG Taylor singled to left and was replaced with courtesy runner, Ava Oates. Oates moved to third on a ground out and scored when Haley Oswald singled to right to tie the game, 1-1. The Eagles scored the go ahead run in the sixth when Izzy Warrick led off with a knock to left and then stole second. Warrick advanced to third on a Katie Chappell ground out and scored when Rose Costanza singled on the infield for the 2-1 lead. Warrick made it stand, but not without some seventh inning drama. LAMP loaded the bases with two singles and a two-out intentional walk, but flew out to Ingram in center to end the game

Izzy Warrick earned the victory with six innings of relief work and scoring the game winning run. Seniors Rose Costanza and Haley Oswald each finished 2 for 3 with an RBI to lead the offense. The Lady Eagles start right back where they started on Wednesday with a 9:00am game against Etowah on Thursday.

Lady Eagles Sweep Three Games to Win Regional Championship

After a mediocre regular season, by program standards, the Alabama Christian softball team has played its best ball of the year as they rolled through the 4A South Regional in Gulf Shores on Friday and Saturday. ACA is now 6-0 in the postseason with three game sweeps in the Area tournament last week and the Regionals this week. The Regional finish ensures an appearance in the State playoffs for the 24th time in 26 years (not including last year’s canceled season).

Izzy Warrick set the tone, in the first game of the tournament, as she set down St. Michaels, out of Mobile, in the top of the first on just seven pitches. Warrick then helped herself in the bottom half as she drove in Haley Ingram with a single to right for the first run of the game. The Eagles were not finished as Katie Chappell tripled to score Warrick and later scored on a wild pitch to increase the lead to 3-0. Hayley Cassidy scored the last run of the inning on an infield error by the Cardinal pitcher and ACA led 4-0 after one. Warrick struck out the side in the second after a leadoff single to keep St Michaels off the scoreboard. The first five Eagles reached safely in the bottom half as Warrick, Chappell and Rose Costanza each produced run-scoring hits to stretch the lead to 7-0. Alabama Christian added three more in the third as Ingram, Warrick and Costanza each drove in runs. St Michaels scored their only run of the game in the fourth to cut the lead to 10-1 and after the Eagles hit into a double play in the bottom of the fourth it looked like the game would move to the fifth inning. However, Ava Oates drew a walk to load the bases and the Lady Eagles connected on four of the next five pitches thrown and run-ruled the Cardinals 16-1. After a Warrick single, Chappell, Costanza and Maddie Traywick hit back-to-back-to-back doubles to end the game. Traywick’s hit was the first of her career for the Eagles.

Izzy Warrick earned the win in the circle with four innings pitched including eight strikeouts and added three hits with three runs scored as she drove in one run in each of her four at bats. Katie Chappell became the twelfth player in school history to have two triples in a game as she finished 3 for 4 with two triples, a double with three runs scored and four RBIs. Rose Costanza went 3 for 4 with a double, a triple and four runs driven in.

The Class of 2021 celebrates another Regional title.

In the second game of the day, ACA blew open a close game with four runs in the sixth inning for a 7-2 defeat of Ashford. The Eagles opened the game scoring a run without the benefit of a hit for an early 1-0 lead. Haley Ingram led off the game with a walk and stole second on the very next pitch. The senior leadoff hitter moved to third on an Izzy Warrick sacrifice and scored the first run of the game on a wild pitch. In the fourth, Rose Costanza drove in the second run of the game with a double to left that scored Katie Chappell for the 2-0 advantage. In the circle, Costanza threw up zeroes for the first five innings as she limited the Jackets to five hits. ACA gave themselves some breathing room in the sixth with four runs and a six run lead. Ingram led off the inning with an infield single followed by Warrick and Chappell being hit by pitch to load the bases. Costanza promptly unloaded them on a 1-2 count with a double to right field and a 5-0 lead. Hayley Cassidy’s ground out scored courtesy runner Ava Oates for the sixth run of the game. Ashford scored their first run of the game in the bottom of the sixth, but Alabama Christian answered with one of their own in the seventh on a Warrick single to put the lead back to six runs as Ashford prepared for its last at bat. The Jackets scored once, but it wasn’t enough as the Eagles prevailed 7-2.

Rose Costanza picked up the victory as the defense behind her delivered a solid effort with no errors. The senior starter pitched seven innings with three strikeouts and produced two of the team’s five hits, both doubles, that drove in four runs. Katie Chappell and Haley Ingram both scored two runs apiece. The win put ACA in the winner bracket finals where they would face off against Geneva who upset LAMP on Friday.

Geneva jumped to a 2-0 lead as the Panthers scored two to start the game. ACA tied it up in the third when Izzy Warrick and Katie Chappell both knocked in runs. Geneva scored two in the next half inning to regain the lead 4-2. The Eagle bats came alive in the bottom of the fourth as ACA plated six runs for the 8-4 lead. After a strikeout to start the inning, eight straight Alabama Christian batters reached safely to help score the six runs. With one out, KG Taylor singled followed by Skylar Crews and Lawson Borland being hit by pitch to load the bases. Haley Ingram tripled to left to clear the bases and give ACA the lead for good at 5-4. An Izzy Warrick single along with a Katie Chappell double and a Rose Costanza single knocked in three more runs and the Lady Eagles led 8-4 after four innings. Coach Chris Goodman called on Warrick to relieve Costanza to start the fifth to give Geneva a different look. The strategy worked as Warrick set down the next six batters she faced and only gave up one run in the seventh frame. ACA tacked on two insurance runs in the sixth with some unselfish softball as batters gave themselves up to score runs. Haley Ingram and Warrick led things off with back-to-back singles to give the offense runners on second and third with no outs. On an 0-2 count, Chappell grounded out to second base to score Ingram and Costanza followed with a sacrifice to get Warrick home and give ACA a six run cushion heading to the seventh. Geneva tallied a single run in the seventh and the Lady Eagles were headed to Oxford with a 10-5 victory and the 4A South Region championship.

Rose Costanza got the win with four innings of work and five strikeouts while Izzy Warrick picked up the save with three innings of one-run pitching with five strikeouts. Haley Ingram paced the offense as she went 4 for 4 with a triple, three runs scored and three RBIs. Warrick finished 3 for 3 with a double, three runs scored, two RBIs and a walk. Hayley Cassidy and Katie Chappell each had two hits in four at bats while Chappell had a double and knocked in three runs.

In the last feature of the year, we look back 25 years to the 1996 softball team which was the first full year of fast pitch for ACA. We caught up with Tara Hyte to talk about her time at Alabama Christian and what she is doing these days. The Lady Eagles finished 26-11 and made it to the Sub-state round in ‘96. Hyte led the team in walks and finished second on the team in batting average, hits, double, triples, sacrifices, slugging percentage and on-base percentage and had a 15 game hitting streak during the season. Her marks in batting average, walks and on-base percentage still rank in the Top 10 for a season.

What year did you graduate from Alabama Christian? 1996

What grades did you attend at Alabama Christian? 6th-12th

What is your favorite memory of Alabama Christian?There are so many memories that I cherish, but one my favorite memories was being able to coach and be a part of the Little Dribblers, I always enjoyed working with the younger kids and them always being all smiles while playing basketball.

What is your favorite softball memory? So many to choose from but it would have to be winning the first State Championship (in 1995) for softball. That was a great day and I remember that game like it was yesterday. Coaches and teammates were all so amazing and I can’t say enough about them. I remember them announcing that our baseball team had just won the State Championship while we were still playing. Shortly after that I reember looking in the stands and seeing the baseball team coming to support us. We brought home two State championships that day!

Who took you under their wing when you joined the varsity team? So I was able to try out when I was in 7th grade and the player that I would say did this would be Donna Zorn, who was a senior. She played shortstop and I was on second, we developed a great friendship that I will forever be grateful for. She was always so kind, positive, and encouraging to everyone, a true leader. She wore the number 13 and after she graduated I then started wearing the number 13. I always looked up to her. 

Who was your most memorable teammate? This is a tough one because all of them hold such a special place in my heart, but if I have to name one, it would have to be Lauren Russell. There are not enough words to say what kind of person, teammate and friend she was. 

What teacher/coach had the most influence on you? Coach Ainsworth, she always was there and helped guide me through not just softball, but life while I was at ACA. I will always be thankful for her and all she taught me in every way, but all of my coaches and teachers had an influence on me in such positive ways.

Did you continue playing softball after high school? I played softball at Huntingdon College my freshman year and then went on to play at Georgia Southwestern University.

Where do you currently live? I live in Ellaville ,GA.

What do you do for a living? I work as a nurse at Magnolia Manor Rehab.

Rapid Fire

Favorite TV show or movie : This Is Us

Dream vacation spot : Hawaii

Person I most admire : My parents, although they are both deceased, not a day goes by that I don’t admire them and thank them for everything they taught me, how they loved me and what all they did for me. I strive to be like them everyday. 

Early morning or late night person : Used to be a late night person, but now I would have to say early morning most days.

Alabama or Auburn (or other) : War Eagle, of course!!!

We hope you have enjoyed these visits with former athletes this year and we look forward to catching up with more alumni next year. Join us in September as we highlight a member of the 2011 football team.

Alabama Christian Demolishes LAMP for Area Championship

ACA’s postseason pedigree showed this week as the Lady Eagles ran through the Area tournament to advance to the Regionals for the 25th time in 26 years. Alabama Christian won two tight games early in the week and then took care of LAMP in the finals with a 16-0 whooping. A Hayley Cassidy grand slam ended the contest in the fourth as the mercy rule was needed with the sixteen run cushion.

Neither team scored in the first two innings, but ACA made up for it by scoring eight runs each in the third and fourth frames. In the third, Annabelle Pugh knocked in Katie Chappell for the first run of the game followed by run scoring at bats from KG Taylor and Haley Oswald. After the fourth run scored on a LAMP error, Oswald scored on a passed ball to increase the margin to 5-0. Rose Costanza added a two-run single followed by an RBI hit from Hayley Cassidy for the 8-0 advantage.

LAMP loaded the bases in the fourth, but came away with no runs, opening the door for the Eagles. The bottom half started innocently enough with an infield ground out, but the next eight batters reached safely and all scored to end it. Lawson Borland reached on an infield error, Haley Oswald singled to left, Skylar Crews singled to left for a 9-0 lead, Haley Ingram singled to right for a 10-0 cushion, Izzy Warrick singled to center to make the score 11-0, Katie Chappell singled to left scoring the twelfth run, Rose Costanza walked to load the bases and Hayley Cassidy sent a 3-1 pitch over the left field fence for a grand slam and the 16-0 blowout.

Hayley Cassidy finished the day 2 for 2 with two walks, a homer and five RBIs. Katie Chappell was 3 for 3 with a walk and scored three runs while Skylar Crews finished 2 for 2 with two RBIs. In the circle, Izzy Warrick earned the win as she allowed six hits, but no runs over four innings.

Alabama Christian travels to Gulf Shores next week to compete in the Regionals, as it should be.

ACA Qualifies for Regionals with Win Over LAMP

Like Tuesday against St James, the Lady Eagles did it again on Wednesday with a close win over LAMP after losing tight games to the Tigers in the regular season. Pitching dominated the contest as both teams combined for just three runs and ten hits in the 2-1 Alabama Christian triumph. Starter Rose Costanza pitched a complete game gem and held LAMP to one run on five hits with nine strikeouts.

Neither team scored over the first three innings as the offenses produced only two hits. In the top of the fourth, LAMP scored the first run of the day with back-to-back one-out hits, but Costanza recorded the second out with a strikeout and coaxed an infield popup to hold the damage to one run. Costanza connected on the first pitch she saw in the bottom half to even the score at 1-1. ACA took the lead for good in the sixth inning as Izzy Warrick led off the frame with a single. After Warrick stole second, Katie Chappell drove in the game winning run for the 2-1 advantage. Costanza got the final three outs in the seventh and helped the Eagles advance to the Area finals.

Lady Eagles Defeat St James in Opening Round of Area Tournament

ACA waited for a great time to beat St James for the first time this year as they turned the tables on the Lady Trojans with a late run in the 5-4 triumph. Rose Costanza knocked in the game winning run with a one-out single to center that scored Izzy Warrick in the top of the seventh for the one-run victory. The Eagles will take on LAMP, Wednesday, in the winner bracket final.

Alabama Christian struck first in the top of the opening inning as Izzy Warrick advanced to third on a passed ball and scored two pitches later on a wild pitch with two outs for the 1-0 lead. After giving up the lead in the bottom of the first, ACA responded with three runs in the top of the second for the 4-2 advantage. After a walk, Annabelle Pugh scored on a wild pitch to tie the game while Haley Ingram and Warrick followed with run scoring singles for the Eagles’ other two runs. Neither team scored again until the bottom of the fourth as the Trojans cut the lead to 4-3. Warrick took the circle in relief of Costanza in the top of the fifth to try and finish the game, but St James was able to score one and tie it up in the fifth. After a scoreless sixth, both team’s would have one more at bat to win it in regulation. With one out in the top of the frame, Warrick singled followed by Katie Chappell who was hit by pitch for the second time on the day and a school record 22nd time for her career. With two on and one out, Costanza delivered the game winning blow. In the bottom half, Warrick pitched a perfect inning to earn the victory in relief.

Warrick and Costanza produced five of the team’s seven hits as Warrick went 3 for 4 with two runs scored and Costanza finished 2 for 3 with an RBI. For the 35th consecutive game, Haley Ingram had at least one hit with a 1 for 4 effort.

ACA Defeats Opelika on Senior Night

After dropping a game to Catholic earlier in the week, the Seniors won their last game on Denise Ainsworth Field with a 10-0 shut out of Opelika on Senior Night. In the Catholic contest, Haley Ingram extended her hitting streak to 31 games and Katie Chappell was hit by pitch for the 20th time in her career, which ties her with Shelbie Horne for most in school history.

Haley Ingram waits on the pitch.

Against Opelika, Alabama Christian scored two first inning runs on a wild pitch and a passed ball to take the early lead. Starter Rose Costanza did not need any more run support as she held the Bulldogs to four hits with nine strikeouts in the six-inning complete game victory. In the third inning, Costanza’s run-scoring double highlighted a two run frame that doubled the lead to 4-0. The next at bat ACA doubled their lead again as Katie Chappell singled in a run and later scored on Costanza’s three-run blast to left. The last two runs of the game came in the sixth inning on back-to-back bases-loaded walks that ended the game, 10-0.

Rose Costanza sends the ball over the left field fence.

Costanza paced the offense as she went 2 for 2 with a double and a home run with four RBIs and two walks. Haley Ingram continued her record setting hitting streak (32 games) with two hits in four at bats and joined teammate Rose Costanza in the 200 hit club as she became the eighth Lady Eagle in program history to reach the milestone. Izzy Warrick finished the day 2 for 4 with three runs scored.

The Lady Eagles prepare for post-season starting with the Area tournament next week.

Lady Eagles Win All Four at Hoover Invitational

Alabama Christian traveled north to Hoover and had a very successful weekend with four straight wins in what hopefully will provide some momentum for the Lady Eagles as they close the regular season.

ACA opened the Hoover Invitational with a convincing 16-1 defeat of Sipsey Valley. Haley Oswald started the scoring in the second inning with an infield single that scored Rose Costanza followed by a Lawson Borland ground out that scored KG Taylor for an early 2-0 lead. The Lady Eagles added three more runs in the third aided by run scoring hits from Katie Chappell and Taylor. As Alabama Christian continued to score runs, starting pitcher Izzy Warrick silenced the Bears’ bats and kept the ball on the ground with ten of the game’s fifteen outs being ground balls in the complete game victory. Warrick, Costanza and Taylor each contributed run scoring hits in the fourth to stretch the lead to 8-0. In the final inning, Alabama Christian doubled their score with eight more runs as Costanza and Taylor both had two-run singles in the frame. Seventh grader Campbell Hammett collected her first career hit in the inning. Six Eagles produced multi-hit games as Rose Costanza, KG Taylor and Izzy Warrick each had three hits and Hayley Cassidy, Haley Ingram and Ava Oates each had two hits in the contest. Ingram extended her hitting streak to 26 games as she adds to her record with each game she gets a hit.

Game two of the evening pitted the Lady Eagles against the host school in a good test for the ACA team. Alabama Christian passed with flying colors with a 5-3 win over the Lady Bucs. The Eagle’s ace, Rose Costanza, was in the circle and held the Hoover offense in check. Hoover scored once in the first inning and did not score again until the seventh. ACA tied the game in the second on a Hoover error and took the lead in the third on a Hayley Cassidy sac fly. Costanza followed with a two-run double to extend the lead to 4-1. The two-base hit was Costanza’s 200th of her career as she became the seventh Lady Eagle in program history to achieve the mark. The Eagle’s last run was scored in the fourth as Haley Ingram singled in Lawson Borland for the 5-1 advantage. Hoover scored two in the seventh, but it wasn’t enough in the 5-3 ACA triumph. Costanza did not walk a batter in the complete game effort to pick up the win. Ingram led the offense with two hits and extended her streak to 27 games.

Saturday opened with a 14-4 victory over Beech (TN) as the Lady Eagles won their third consecutive game. ACA jumped all over the Buccaneers with seven runs in the opening frame highlighted by two-run hits by Annabelle Pugh and Izzy Warrick. Haley Oswald knocked in the team’s eighth run in the second for an 8-0 lead. Beech scored the next three runs in the third and fourth innings to trim the lead to five runs. In the fifth inning, Alabama Christian extended the lead to 14-3 aided by Haley Ingram who launched a three-run homer to center field. Izzy Warrick earned the win in the circle with five innings of work and Maddie Traywick pitched the sixth inning to close the game. Haley Ingram collected a hit in her 28th straight game with a 3 for 4 effort with a homer and three RBIs while Hayley Cassidy finished 3 for 5 with one run driven in. Lawson Borland, Rose Costanza and Izzy Warrick each contributed two hits to the attack. 

The fourth and final game of the weekend was a thriller as ACA defeated Oxford 8-7 to finish 4-0 on the weekend. Izzy Warrick picked up the win in relief as the Eagles scored three runs in the last inning. Alabama Christian fell behind early as the Jackets led 6-0 after two innings. In the third, ACA cut the lead in half with three two-out runs scored. After the first two hitters were retired, the offense produced four consecutive singles with Katie Chappell and Hayley Cassidy knocking in the three runs. The Eagles cut the lead to one as they scored two in the fourth on a Haley Oswald single and a Haley Ingram sac fly. After giving up a run in the bottom of the fourth, ACA trailed 7-5 heading into their final at bat. The first four Eagles walked in the frame to cut the lead to one run and Skylar Crews tied it with an infield single. Lawson Borland drove in the game winner with a sac fly to center field. Oxford put a couple of runners on in their half of the inning, but were unable to score a run and the Eagles held on for the 8-7 win. Warrick led the offense with two hits in three at bats with a run scored and Ingram’s single moved her hitting streak to 29 games.

Alabama Christian goes to Catholic on Tuesday for their next contest.

ACA Drops Two of Three in Area Games This Week

Monday - BTW-Tuskegee

The Lady Eagles started the week with a no-hitter as Izzy Warrick became the third ACA pitcher to accomplish the feat this season in a 15-0 win over BTW. Warrick was dominant with nine strikeouts over four innings, not allowing a ball to leave the infield and was one walk away from a perfect game. Alabama Christian scored at least three runs in every inning. KG Taylor delivered the key hit in the first with a two-run single to center field for a 3-0 lead. In the second inning, Haley Ingram, Katie Chappell and Rose Costanza each drove in runs while Lawson Borland's two-run triple knocked in the last two runs for a 9-0 advantage. In the third inning, Chappell and Costanza again drove in runs and in the final frame as Annabelle Pugh ended it with a two-run single for the 15-0 final margin. Haley Ingram led the offense going 3 for 3 with three runs scored and extended her hitting streak to 23 games. Katie Chappell finished 2 for 3 with two RBIs while four other Eagles, Lawson Borland, Rose Costanza, Annabelle Pugh and KG Taylor, each drove in two runs.

Tuesday - St James

ACA hosted St James for their second Area game of the week and wasted a strong pitching performance from Rose Costanza as the Eagles bats were silenced by Trojan pitching. Costanza went the distance and allowed just two runs with eight strikeouts in the 2-0 loss. Alabama Christian managed just four hits on the day and squandered opportunities in the fourth and fifth innings to get on the scoreboard. In the fourth, ACA had runners on first and second with two outs, but a strikeout ended the frame. In the fifth, the Eagles had their best chance to score with runners at second and third with just one out, but a strikeout and a line out ended the threat. Haley Ingram's fifth inning single kept her hitting streak alive at 24 games as she tied McKenzie Kilpatrick, who accomplished the feat in 2011, for the school record for most consecutive games with a hit.

Thursday - at LAMP

Alabama Christian hoped to avenge an extra inning loss earlier in the season to LAMP, but were again beaten by the Golden Tigers in the final frame. LAMP scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth, but ACA responded with two runs in their half of the fifth. Katie Chappell drove in the tying run with an infield single and Rose Costanza put the Eagles ahead with a run scoring ground out. LAMP evened the score in the bottom half to set up a dramatic seventh inning. Izzy Warrick and Chappell led off the final frame with back-to-back singles and Warrick scored on a LAMP error to put ACA up by a run. With two outs in the bottom half and one runner on second, the Tigers came up with consecutive hits that scored the tying and then the winning runs in the 4-3 victory over Alabama Christian. Haley Ingram set a new school record with a hit in her 25th consecutive game as she went 3 for 4 with a double while Katie Chappell finished 2 for 4 with an RBI. Rose Costanza pitched the entire game in the loss with six strikeouts.

ACA Falls to LAMP in Extra Innings

Although Alabama Christian scored first in a key Area matchup with LAMP, they never crossed the plate again in a 2-1 loss in eight innings. Haley Ingram singled in the first inning, to extend her hitting streak to 22 games, and later scored ACA's only run on an infield error by the Golden Tiger defense. After a leadoff walk to start the fourth, LAMP scored its first run with a double to center field. The game remained tied through seven innings although ACA had a chance to walk it off in the bottom of the seventh as they loaded the bases with only one out, but were unable to push across the game winning run. LAMP led off the eighth with a solo homer and the Lady Eagles were unable to answer for the 2-1 loss. Ingram and Rose Costanza were the offense as the two seniors produced all three hits the Eagles could muster. The rest of the lineup was a combined 0 for 21 on the afternoon. Costanza took the loss in the circle as she pitched the full eight innings with six strikeouts.

ACA continues Area play as the take on BTW-Tuskegee on Monday, April 12th.

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.

Lady Eagles Outscore Benjamin Russell for Fourth Straight Win

After being off for eleven days due to the cancellation of the Alex Wilcox tournament, ACA hosted Benjamin Russell Monday afternoon at Denise Ainsworth Field. The contest was a back and forth affair as the lead changed hands four times over the first four innings. The Eagles scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead for good at 8-6 and tacked on five runs in the fifth and sixth frames for the 13-6 triumph. Alabama Christian scored double figures for the fourth game in a row in the victory.

Katie Chappell goes deep in the second inning.

Benjamin Russell scored one in the top of the first, but ACA answered with two in the bottom half on a Hayley Cassidy single and a KG Taylor sac fly. The Wildcats tied the game in the second frame, but Katie Chappell hit a long three-run home run to left field for a 5-2 lead. In the third inning, Benjamin Russell again tied the game and took the lead one inning later for a 6-5 advantage. Annabelle Pugh gave the Eagles the lead with a two-run triple over the right fielder’s head and scored on a Chappell ground out to give ACA an 8-6 lead. Alabama Christian added five runs in their last two at bats to pull away from the Wildcats for the 13-6 victory.

KG Taylor readies for a bunt attempt.

Annabelle Pugh led the offense with three hits in four at bats with a double and a triple and four runs driven in. Haley Ingram’s infield single extended her hitting streak to 19 games and later added a double as she finished the day with three runs scored and two RBIs. Katie Chappell was 2 for 4 with a homer and four RBIs while Skylar Crews and Izzy Warrick each had two hits. Warrick picked up the win in relief as she pitched the final four innings of the game giving up just one unearned run with two strikeouts.

ACA hosts Wetumpka on Thursday, April 1, in its next contest.

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.

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.

Lady Eagles Split Four in Auburn Tournament

Alabama Christian won two and lost two at the Auburn tournament on Friday and Saturday.

In game one, ACA fell to Central-Phenix City, 11-4. After giving up two runs in the first inning, the Eagles responded with two runs in the top of the second on a Skylar Crews single and a Lawson Borland ground out. Central scored five runs in the bottom half as seven consecutive batters reached after two outs in the inning. Hayley Cassidy drove in the third Eagle run in the third inning to make the score 7-3. Central hit a couple of homers late in the game to go on to the 11-4 win. Cassidy finished 2 for 3 with an RBI to lead the ACA offense. Izzy Warrick was the losing pitcher as she lasted two innings. Cassidy pitched four innings in relief to finish the game.

In the second game of the night, Rose Costanza stepped up when the team really needed it as the Eagles stopped a four game losing streak with a 3-0 win over Lawrence County. In the circle, the senior pitcher shut out the Red Devils over seven innings with five strikeouts and no walks. ACA scored all of their runs in the first inning as Annabelle Pugh led off with a walk and moved to third base on a Haley Ingram double. Costanza helped her own cause with a two run single and KG Taylor had an RBI double for the third run.

Saturday started against Dale County, who ACA last played in the 2019 State playoffs. The Lady Eagles jumped out quickly thanks to a first inning grand slam by KG Taylor for an early 4-0 lead. ACA extended the lead in the second inning with four more runs as Izzy Warrick and Haley Ingram had RBI singles, Rose Costanza delivered a run scoring sac bunt and Hayley Cassidy doubled in a run. Starting pitcher, Izzy Warrick took advantage of the runs scored in support and pitched five innings for the win. The right-hander had to deal with several base runners, but never allowed Dale County to put together a big inning. The Lady Eagles added two runs as the game progressed for the 10-6 win. Ingram and Warrick both had three hits and an RBI to lead the offense while Hayley Cassidy went 2 for 3 with a double and a run driven in.

The last game of the weekend was against Beauregard and the Eagles just could not get off the field with the elusive third out. Beauregard scored all eleven of their runs in the four inning contest with two outs. ACA was never able to string enough hits together to score runs in the 11-0 loss. Rose Costanza was the losing pitcher as she lasted just 1 2/3 innings. At the plate, Lawson Borland, Hayley Cassidy, Haley Ingram and Annabelle Pugh each had singles for Alabama Christian.

ACA next plays at Benjamin Russell in Alexander City on Thursday, March 4th.

Lady Eagles Beaten by Catholic in Close Game

The Lady Eagles were looking to improve from their weekend tournament at Lagoon as they hosted Catholic on Tuesday afternoon. Haley Ingram led off the game with a single, stole second and came home on a Rose Costanza single to give ACA a 1-0 lead after one. In the circle, Costanza kept the Knights off the board in her three innings of work with three strikeouts. However, the Eagles managed only one hit over the next three innings and held a slim 1-0 lead going to the fifth. Catholic scored two runs in the top of the fifth on an Eagle error and a single to take their first lead of the game. Ingram was again the spark plug for the offense as she led off the bottom half with a double into the left field gap and later scored with two outs on a passed ball to tie the game. The Knights scored two runs in the top of the seventh without getting a hit as they drew four walks, one intentional, in the frame for the two run lead. Warrick led off the last inning with a double down the left field line and scored when Costanza knocked her in to cut the lead to 4-3, but Costanza remained at first as the next three batters made outs and the Eagles fell 4-3.

Izzy Warrick in the circle for ACA.

Costanza finished the day with three hits in four at bats with two runs driven in while Ingram was 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored. Lawson Borland and Warrick had the only other hits for the Eagle’s offense while Haley Oswald drew two walks. Hayley Cassidy took the loss in relief giving up two runs over two innings with two strikeouts.

Rose Costanza bats against Catholic.

The Lady Eagles travel to Auburn for the weekend for tournament action on Friday and Saturday.

ACA Kicks Off Season at Brew Tech Tournament

The Lady Eagles, along with eighteen other teams, began their season where they hope to be at the end as they participated in the Brew Tech tournament at Lagoon Park. Alabama Christian is the defending 4A state champs, due to the 2020 season being cut short. The Eagles drew PCA in game one on Friday afternoon and fell to the Panthers, 4-3. PCA opened the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the first inning via a passed ball and a solo homer. The ACA offense came alive in the third inning as Izzy Warrick delivered a three-run blast to give the Eagles a 3-2 advantage. However, PCA responded with two more solo shots in the bottom half of the inning to retake the lead 4-3. The Lady Eagles loaded the bases in the final frame with two outs, but were unable to push across any runs. Rose Costanza took the loss as she gave up four runs on only three hits and struck out five.

Game two of the evening was against Beauregard and the Eagles evened their record to 1-1 with the 5-4 victory. After giving up a run in the top of the third, ACA responded with three runs in the bottom half, highlighted by Izzy Warrick and Rose Costanza’s back to back doubles and an RBI ground out by Hayley Cassidy. Beauregard hit a three run homer to retake the lead in the top of the fourth before the Eagles last at bat. Annabelle Pugh drove in Lawson Borland with an RBI double to tie the score at 4-4. After a Haley Ingram walk loaded the bases, Warrick singled home Ava Oates for the game winning hit. In addition to her offensive success in the game, Warrick picked up the win in the circle as she gave up two earned runs and struck out four over four innings.

Izzy Warrick pictured with her first home run ball of her ACA career.

Saturday began against the host school, Brew Tech, in the final pool game for the Eagles. Haley Ingram doubled on the first pitch she saw to lead off the game for ACA and later scored on a Rose Costanza ground out for a 1-0 lead after an inning. However, over the next four innings, the offense produced only two more hits and just three total base runners as the Eagles hit ground ball after ground ball against the Brew Tech hurler. Despite the lack of offense, ACA only trailed 2-1 heading into the final inning, but allowed five Ram runs in the frame for the 7-1 final score. Hayley Cassidy took the loss in the circle as she struck out three over five innings. Besides Ingram, Haley Oswald and Hayley Cassidy were the only other Eagles to collect a hit.

Hayley Cassidy bats against Brew Tech.

In the final game of their day, ACA took on Lincoln in elimination play. Neither team scored in the first two innings as starting pitcher Rose Costanza worked out of a bases loaded jam in the second. KG Taylor opened the third inning with a walk and eventually scored on Costanza’s two-out single for a 1-0 lead. The bottom half of the inning saw Lincoln score four times as the Eagle defense hurt itself with a lack of communication, indecision with the ball, wild pitches and passed balls that played a part in the runs given up. The offense had no answer as the Eagles did not score over the last two frames. Costanza took the loss despite giving up just three hits and only one earned run over 4 2/3 innings and struck out 11 batters. Costanza, Haley Ingram and Taylor were the only Eagles with hits in the contest.

Lady Eagles Lose Heart Breaker at St James

For the second time this week, St James did just enough to defeat ACA. The Eagles scored two runs in the first and held a 4-1 lead going to the bottom of the sixth when the Lady Trojans put together a four run inning and claimed a 5-4 victory over the Eagles. Rose Costanza took the loss in the circle despite another solid outing. The junior pitcher allowed only one hit and one run through the first five innings, but in the fateful sixth St James collected three hits with two walks to rally their offense. ACA went down 1-2-3 in the seventh to close out the game.

Haley Pittman gets ready for one of her four hits against St James.

Senior Haley Pittman carried the offense with a 4 for 4 performance with three doubles and two RBIs. Four other Eagles, Rose Costanza, Aniya Jackson, Haley Oswald and Monica Willingham, each collected one hit on the afternoon. The Lady Eagles also drew seven walks as a team off the Trojan’s pitching.

ACA (6-8) will participate in a tournament over the weekend at PCA before taking some time off over spring break.

Lady Eagles Fall to St James

The ACA offense continued to struggle Tuesday in a 3-1 loss to St James at Denise Ainsworth Field. The loss was the sixth straight game the Lady Eagles scored four runs or less. Alabama Christian had their chances late to tie the game, but could not deliver the key hit. The sixth inning ended with runners at second and third and the seventh ended with the bases loaded. Rose Costanza produced another solid outing in the circle as she pitched all seven innings and gave up three runs with six strikeouts. Three Eagles, Haley Cassidy, Haley Pittman and Monica Willingham, each contributed two hits on the afternoon.

Alabama Christian (6-7) will face St James again on Thursday for their next outing.