ACA Goes 1-1 on the Week

After a busy weekend at the Mayor’s Cup tournament, ACA played host this week to Carver and MA on Tuesday and Thursday. The two opponents are on the opposite ends of the volleyball world as Carver tried to set a record for most double hits called against in a match while MA is a perennial contender.

ACA handled Carver easily in three straight games 25-10, 25-6, 25-7. The service game produced 24 aces led by Alyson Thornton’s eight and Paige Henry’s seven winners. After starting a little slow in game one, the Lady Eagles dominated the match. Claire Forrester finished with five kills to lead the team while a trio of players, Paige Henry, Leighton Peake and Cayla Schofield, each had four kills. Alyson Thornton had 19 assists in the three games.

Ella Weed goes for the block at the net.

Alabama Christian fell to MA in the first Area game of the season in three games, 12-25, 10-25, 21-25. The pattern for the match had MA jump out to a lead early in the games, ACA would make a run to get close and MA would finish each game strong. In game one, Lynleigh Stephen had a nice service run to cut the lead to 10-13, but MA scored the last nine points of the game for the game one win. In game two, Paige Henry ran off consecutive points for the Eagles to make the score 7-9. Once again, MA responded scoring eight of the next nine points and went on to the 10-25 victory. The most competitive game was the last as Eagle runs caused MA to call timeout twice and the game was tied 21-21 late, but MA scored the last four points to complete the sweep. Claire Forrester led the attack with five kills and an ace. Paige Henry had four kills and a team high three aces while Cayla Schofield added four kills. Alyson Thornton and Ella Weed each had three blocks while Thornton led the squad with 15 assists.

Kate Finch Opens Cross Country Season with 2nd Place Finish

The cross country season got underway at the MA Cross Country Invitational on the Huntingdon College course in Grady, AL. Although most of the runners participated in the JV division, two runners competed in the Varsity race. Kate Finch looked in mid-season form as she finished second out of 107 runners with a time of 20:35.26. Zander Costanza was the lone male runner in the Varsity division and he finished in 56th place out of 157 participants.

Eagles who ran in the JV division were Rachel Rine, Maddie Owens, Laura Stokley, Abby Zenor, Annabelle Owens, Addi Cline and Eli Miller.

Zander Costanza runs in the MA Cross Country Invitational.

Alabama Christian Grounds Squadron in Home Blow Out

After dropping the season opener there might have been some added pressure to win the first game of the year but the Eagles were unaffected as they scored on their opening drive and dominated the night in a 47-6 shellacking of Highland Home. The offense was clicking and gained more yards in the first quarter than they did in week one The effort gave Coach Michael Summers his first win as the head coach of the program.

Coach Michael Summers celebrates his first win with his family.

ACA received the opening kickoff and drove 66 yards in six plays to take the early lead. The offense converted two third downs as Hayes Hunt moved out of the pocket to find Otasowie Dion for 17 yards on a 3rd and 3 and Corey Landers ran 37 yards off right tackle for the game’s first touchdown on a 3rd and 5. Two plays later, DeAndre Sneed, separated ball and receiver and recovered the fumble on Highland Home’s 33 yard line. Hunt found Garrett Weathers on the first play of the drive and the Eagles led 14-0 with just over four minutes gone in the game. Trey Schlemmer and the defense threw Highland Home for a twelve yard loss on the fist play of the next drive and forced a three and out to give the ball back to the offense. On the second play of the Eagle possession, Hunt kept the ball and went around right end and outraced the defense to the end zone for a 40-yard touchdown and a 21-0 lead. The next three drives for both teams ended in punts, but Alabama Christian was on the move as the first period came to an end.

DeAndre Sneed recovers a fumble in Squadron territory.

On the third play of the second quarter, Otasowie Dion scored the only touchdown of the night under 30 yards with a nine yard run to increase the lead to 27-0. The score capped a nine-play 59-yard march that lasted a little over 3 1/2 minutes. William Milner had the first of a few standout plays as he broke up a pass on Highland Home’s next drive that ended with a bad snap and the Squadron punter covering the ball on his own 20 yard line. Despite the offensive success on the night, the Eagles were unable to cash in this golden opportunity and turned the ball over on downs. However, the defense came to the aid of the offense as Dion stepped in front of a Highland Home receiver for an interception and raced 33 yards for a score and a 34-0 advantage. After another three and out, the Eagles got the ball back with 3:24 left in the half. It only took 1:59 to score as Hayes Hunt found Garrett Weathers twenty yards behind the defense on a 58-yard connection for a 40-0 halftime lead.

Hayes Hunt loads up to find Garrett Weathers behind the defense.

Due to the lopsided score it was agreed the second half would be played with six minute quarters instead of the customary twelve. A lot of front line players were able to sit out the second half which allowed many younger players to get some much needed time on the field. Highland Home held the ball for nine plays to start the second half, but turned the ball over on downs at midfield. The Eagles ran one offensive play before the third period ended. The backups went three and out, but Tyson Summers delivered the best punt of the season with a 49 yard effort for a touch back. Landon Nelson had a big pass break up to help put the offense back on the field. The highlight of the night came as AC Walters broke around left end and darted 58 yards for a score to increase the Eagle lead 47-0. The Squadron added a score very late in the game for the 47-6 final.

AC Walters runs around right end for his first touchdown of his career.

Hayes Hunt finished the night with 158 yards through the air with 38 yards on the ground and accounted for three touchdowns on the night. Garrett Weathers led the receivers with three receptions for 100 yards and two scores. Corey Landers was the leading rusher with 87 yards on 11 carries and a TD as AC Walters had 55 yards on two attempts with a score. Otasowie Dion scored on offense and defense to help the team. Donovan Emerson led the defense with eight tackles and a sack followed by Joshua Kreitz with five tackles. Three defenders, Jack Thomas, Trey Schlemmer and William Milner, finished the night with four tackles.

Trey Schlemmer brings down the Highland Home receiver.

The Eagles open Region play next week as they host St James.

ACA Splits Four Games in Early Week Action

Alabama Christian split two tri-matches on Monday and Tuesday to move to 3-2 on the season. On Monday, the Eagles beat Tallassee in two games, 25-23, 25-8, but lost to the host school St James, 23-25, 15-25. In the victory over the Tigers, Claire Forrester and Paige Henry each had six kills and an ace to lead the offense. Forrester also had the team’s only block and led the squad with five digs. Alyson Thornton led the team with 15 assists and six aces. Forrester continued her good play against St James with 10 kills in the two-game defeat. Leighton Peake and Henry each had two aces and Thornton added 15 assists.

The Lady Eagles visited Pike Road on Tuesday and beat Lanier easily 25-7, 25-12 before falling to Pike Road in three games 21-25, 25-20, 9-15. Paige Henry became just the third player in school history to have at least ten aces in a game with ten against Lanier. Claire Forrester and Leighton Peake each had four kills while Alyson Thornton finished with 14 assists. Against Pike Road, Thornton led the team with 17 assists and two aces. Henry led the attack with eight kills followed closely by Forrester with seven.

ACA will next compete in the Mayor’s Cup this weekend at the Cramton Bowl Complex.

Lady Eagles Win Season Opener in a Five Game Thriller

Alabama Christian opened the season Thursday night with a home triumph over PCA, 26-24, 25-19, 21-25, 7-25, 15-12. The Eagles took the first two games of the match and looked to be in control as the Panthers won games three and four to tie it up. ACA responded and won the decisive fifth game to close out the match. Coach Manuel Guice was pleased with the team’s defensive effort on the evening.

Claire Forrester and Paige Henry combined for 25 kills, 13 and 12 respectively, to lead the offensive attack and were praised by Coach Guice for sparking the team. Alyson Thornton and Ella Weed each had four kills while Thornton led the team with 28 assists and Weed had two blocks. Leighton Peake led the team with five aces.

Eagles Drop Season Opener in Defensive Battle

For the second year in a row, ACA opened the season with a Thursday night loss to Trinity. The game was a bit of a throwback as the two defenses dominated the contest. Neither team gained more than 200 yards from scrimmage or scored a touchdown, but the Wildcats two field goals proved to be the difference in the 6-0 win over Alabama Christian. First year coach Michael Summers can be pleased with his defense as they showed considerable improvement from last year. However, the offense is a concern as the Eagles managed just 93 yards of offense on the night.

The offense started the night with their biggest play of the game as Corey Landers gained 17 yards on a run around left end. Unfortunately, the unit produced only two more first downs in the half. The defense stopped the Wildcats on four of their five first half possessions allowing just a 23 yard field goal with 1:16 left in the half. The defense did well to allow only the three points as the drive started on their own 23 yard line. The only offensive threat of the half for the Eagles was a nine-play 35 yard drive that ended with a failed fourth down attempt at the Wildcat 39 yard line.

DeAndre Sneed intercepted a Wildcat pass on the second play of the second half to set up the Eagles inside their opponent’s territory. ACA picked up a first down, but stalled on the 21 yard line as they gave the ball up on downs. The next possession started just inside Trinity’s side of the field and again the offense drove down to the Wildcat 18 yard line. The Eagles attempted to tie the game with a 34 yard field goal with 8:30 left in the game, but a high snap threw off the timing and the kick was blocked. Alabama Christian caught a break as a Trinity defender covered the deflected ball at the 4 yard line which backed up the offense. The defense again forced a punt and the offense got the ball at midfield, but could do nothing with it and punted the ball away. Trinity extended its lead to 6-0 with a 32 yard field goal with 1:53 remaining in the game. The Eagles last chance with the ball came up empty and Trinity was able to run the clock out for the win.

Jack Thomas led the defense with nine tackles and a sack while Trey Schlemmer added eight tackles. Gerrod Green, DeAndre Sneed and Avery Stuart each contributed five tackles on the night. Sneed also caught three passes for 20 yards while Preston Hicks had four catches for 14 yards. Corey Landers was the team’s leading rusher with 29 yards while Hayes Hunt finished 8 of 16 for 34 yards through the air.

ACA will host Highland Home next Friday night in their home opener.

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 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 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.

Ten Eagles Qualify for State Meet

Demari Moore and Kate Finch lead ACA to the State meet this weekend in Gulf Shores as Moore qualified for four events and Finch will be the lone female representative for the team. Ricky Rizzotto and Garrett Weathers each qualified for individual events while Bryan Burleson, Zander Costanza, Gerrod Green, David Ortiz-Ramirez, TJ Silmon, and Connor Strowbridge all qualified as part of relay teams.

At Sectionals this past weekend, Moore won the High Jump with an effort of 5 feet 8 inches, placed second in the 100m dash with a time of 11.65 seconds and finished fourth in the Long Jump with a leap of 20 feet 4 inches. Ricky Rizzotto finished fifth in the Javelin with a throw of 125 feet and 1 inch while Garrett Weathers placed fifth in the 400m dash with a time of 53.47 seconds. Kate Finch finished second in the 3200m run with a time of 12:14.90 and also qualified for the 1600m run.

Two relay teams qualified for state. They are the 4x100 team consisting of Gerrod Green, Demari Moore, David Ortiz-Ramirez and TJ Silmon and the 4x800 team made up by Bryan Burleson, Zander Costanza, Connor Strowbridge and Garrett Weathers.

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 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.  

Soccer Wins Two Out of Three This Week

Boys Soccer

Alabama Christian defeated Brew Tech 3-0 Tuesday night on its home field. Brooks Hatcher opened the scoring, assisted by Dalton Hutchinson, to give ACA the 1-0 lead. Hutchinson and Sean Moffett added goals for the 3-0 victory while Tyler Bradley and Karson Oakley recorded assists. Goalie Emmett Sanford finished with seven saves in the win.

Girls Soccer

The Lady Eagles opened the week with a 4-1 victory over Wetumpka on Tuesday night. Senior Michaelyn Manning scored all four goals for ACA with Presley Lewis and Katelyn Sutton assisted Manning. Goalkeeper Marcy Gregory recorded nine saves in the victory. ACA fell to Trinity on Thursday night 8-1 to finish the week. Manning scored the team’s lone goal and Gregory finished with 40 saves under a constant barrage of shots.

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.

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.