Baseball Game Preview: Highland Tech Rams vs. Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy Gryphons

Highland Tech has gone 9-1 against Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy recently and they'll look to pad the win column further on Tuesday. The Rams will square off against the Gryphons at 6:00 p.m. Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy took a loss in their last contest and will be looking to turn the tables on Highland Tech, who comes in off a win.

Highland Tech is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They were the clear victors by a 21-1 margin over Bessemer City on Monday. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the team's high-flying offense, the game also marked the team's biggest win of the season.

Cooper Hartis

Batters Struck Out

04/14/25 @ Bessemer City	4
03/17/25 @ Piedmont Community Charter	3
03/13/25 @ Burns	0
03/11/25 vs Burns	1
04/23/24 vs Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy	3
+ 3 more games

Cooper Hartis made a splash while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. What's more, he posted four strikeouts, the most he's had since back in March of 2024. He was also solid in the batter's box, scoring three runs while getting on base in all three of his plate appearances.

In other batting news, Highland Tech got a massive performance out of Trey Costner, who got on base in four of his five plate appearances with four RBI, one stolen base, and one run. Costner is becoming a predictor of the Rams' success: when he posts at least three RBI the team is undefeated (and 3-9 when he doesn't). Another player making a difference was Noah Karr, who scored a run while going 2-for-3.

Highland Tech always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .614. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Bessemer City only posted an OBP of .278.

Meanwhile, Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy was not able to break out of their rough patch on Thursday as the team picked up their ninth straight defeat. They lost 12-2 to East Gaston. That's two games in a row now that the Gryphons have lost by exactly ten runs.

Highland Tech's victory ended a three-game drought on the road and puts them at 7-9. As for Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy, their loss dropped their record down to 1-13.

Highland Tech took their win against Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy when the teams last played back in April of 2024 by a conclusive 13-1 score. Do the Rams have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Gryphons turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.