Baseball Game Preview: Wilmington Christian Academy Patriots vs. Harrells Christian Academy Crusaders

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Previous Games

03/11/25 - Home	11-1 W
04/23/24 - Away	4-1 W
03/25/24 - Home	3-4 L
05/02/23 - Home	9-4 W
04/11/23 - Away	6-2 W
+ 5 more games

Wilmington Christian Academy and Harrells Christian Academy are an even 5-5 against one another since March of 2015, but likely not for long. The Patriots will venture away from home to face off against the Crusaders at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. Wilmington Christian Academy is coming into the match hot, having won their last five games.

Wilmington Christian Academy proved they can win big on Monday (they won by ten) and on Tuesday they proved they can win the close ones too. They sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 13-11 victory over Faith Christian. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win Wilmington Christian Academy has posted since April 3rd.

Meanwhile, Harrells Christian Academy made easy work of Halifax Academy on Tuesday and carried off a 9-3 victory. That's two games straight that the Crusaders have won by exactly six runs.

Jesse Smith was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up a single earned run in four consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs.

In other batting news, Dawson Smith was incredible, getting on base in all three of his plate appearances with two stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI. He is becoming a predictor of Harrells Christian Academy's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 4-1 (and 2-10 when he doesn't). Another player making a difference was Coley Sasser, who went 1-for-2 with two runs and one RBI.

Wilmington Christian Academy's win was their fourth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 9-13. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 14.5 runs over those games. As for Harrells Christian Academy, their record now sits at 6-11.

Everything went Wilmington Christian Academy's way against Harrells Christian Academy when the teams last played back in March, as Wilmington Christian Academy made off with an 11-1 win. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Patriots since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.