Preview: Grace Christian Patriots vs. Foundation Christian Academy Panthers
Grace Christian is on a three-game streak of home wins, while Foundation Christian Academy is on a three-game streak of away wins: one of those streaks is about to end. The Grace Christian Patriots will take on the Foundation Christian Academy Panthers at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Both teams come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
On Monday, Grace Christian earned a 6-2 victory over Zephyrhills Christian Academy.
Braden Johns made a splash no matter where he played. He pitched seven innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off two hits (he also only allowed one walk). Johns was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 3-for-4. He has been hot recently, having posted at least one stolen base the last four times he's played.
In other batting news, Grace Christian got a big performance out of Thomas Spillane, who scored a run and stole a base while going 1-for-3.
Meanwhile, Foundation Christian Academy can now show off four landslide victories after their most recent match two weeks ago. They blew past Central Florida Christian Academy 20-5. Foundation Christian Academy's hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Like Grace Christian, Foundation Christian Academy also got a great game from a two-way player: Rolland Williams. On the mound, he tossed 3.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits (he also only allowed one walk). Williams was even better at the plate, going 3-for-5 with four stolen bases, six RBI, and three runs.
In other batting news, Evan Booker was incredible, scoring four runs and stealing four bases while getting on base in all five of his plate appearances. Ethan Green was another key contributor, scoring three runs while getting on base in four of his five plate appearances.
Grace Christian's win bumped their record up to 4-1. As for Foundation Christian Academy, their victory bumped their record up to an identical 4-1.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both teams have some strikeout artists on the roster. Grace Christian has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Foundation Christian Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging 9.4 strikeouts per game. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Grace Christian skirted past Foundation Christian Academy 6-4 when the teams last played back in February. One of the biggest obstacles the team faced in that game was Foundation Christian Academy's Henry Salter, who struck out nine batters over four innings while giving up three earned (and one unearned) runs off four hits (and only one walk). Now that he's got a second chance to win this matchup, will Grace Christian still be able to contain Salter? There's only one way to find out.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
