Baseball Preview: Timberlake Christian Tornadoes vs. Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy Ospreys
Timberlake Christian is 1-8 against Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy since March of 2017 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Tuesday. The Timberlake Christian Tornadoes will head out on the road to face off against the Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy Ospreys at 4:30 p.m. Timberlake Christian will be hoping to continue their three-game streak of scoring more runs each contest than the last.
Timberlake Christian scored the most runs they've had all season to find success two weeks ago. They came out on top against Faith Christian Academy by a score of 12-9. With that win, Timberlake Christian brought their scoring average up to 7 runs per game.
David Crump and Billy Shumaker made a splash no matter where they played. On the mound, Crump tossed three innings while giving up just one earned run off four hits (he also didn't allow any walks). Meanwhile, Shumaker struck out nine batters over four innings while giving up just two earned (and six unearned) runs off three hits. At the plate, Crump scored four runs and stole three bases while going 4-for-4, while Shumaker scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-3. Crump is crushing it when it comes to stolen bases: he's stolen at least two every time he's taken the field this season.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Adrian Warrick, who scored two runs and stole three bases while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances. Warrick is crushing it when it comes to stolen bases: he's stolen at least one every time he's taken the field this season. Ian Hebert was another key contributor, scoring two runs while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
Meanwhile, Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy waltzed into their matchup on Monday with seven straight wins... but they left with eight. Their pitchers stepped up to hand the Knights an 11-0 shutout. The result was nothing new for Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy, who have now won eight games by six runs or more so far this season.
Like Timberlake Christian, Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy also got a great game from a two-way player: Parker Nichols. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run and only two hits while striking out eight over four innings pitched. Nichols was also big at the plate, scoring a run while going 1-for-2.
In other batting news, Maddox Conley was incredible, scoring three runs and stealing a base while going 2-for-3. Another player making a difference was Brodie Edwards, who went 1-for-2 with a triple, two RBI, and a run.
The victory got Timberlake Christian back to even at 2-2. As for Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy, their record now sits at 9-3.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both teams have some strikeout artists on the roster. Timberlake Christian has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 11.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.6. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Timberlake Christian suffered a grim 14-1 defeat to Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy in their previous meeting back in April of 2023. Can Timberlake Christian avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
