The Hickory Christian Academy Knights will head out to challenge the Freedom Christian Academy Patriots at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Hickory Christian Academy is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.1 runs per game this season.
Hickory Christian Academy is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Thursday. They had just enough and edged out Caldwell Academy 5-4. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Knights.
Jude Carter
| 05/08/25 @ Caldwell Academy | 4 |
| 05/01/25 @ Statesville Christian | 3 |
| 05/07/24 vs Salem Baptist Christian | 3 |
| 05/01/24 vs Asheville Christian Academy | 1 |
| 04/26/24 @ Carolina Day | 10 |
Jude Carter made a big impact no matter where he played. On the mound, he tossed 2.2 innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. What's more, he posted four strikeouts, the most he's had since back in April of 2024. He was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
Carter wasn't the only one making solid contact as six players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Davis Morgan, who went 1-for-2 with one run and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Freedom Christian Academy had already won three in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 12.3 runs) and they went ahead and made it four on Friday. They never let the Knights get on the board and left with a 13-0 win. Considering the Patriots have won 15 contests by more than six runs this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.
Like Hickory Christian Academy, Freedom Christian Academy also got a great game from a two-way player: Wilson Stowers. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing two innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. Stowers has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive appearances. He was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI.
In other batting news, Christian Alleman was incredible, going 2-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and one stolen base. Another player making a difference was Andrew Corney, who went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases, one run, and one RBI.
Freedom Christian Academy always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .552. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Village Christian Academy only posted an OBP of .333.
Freedom Christian Academy's victory was their ninth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 20-5. Those home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 14.1 runs over those games. As for Hickory Christian Academy, their record now sits at 14-4.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Saturday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Hickory Christian Academy has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Freedom Christian Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.1 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one. Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other baseball content.
