Baseball Game Preview: Hickory Grove Christian Lions vs. Cary Christian Knights

The Hickory Grove Christian Lions will face off against the Cary Christian Knights at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. The timing is sure in Hickory Grove Christian's favor as the squad sits on three straight wins at home while Cary Christian has been banged up by three consecutive losses on the road.

Hickory Grove Christian is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They never let Gaston Day get on the board and left with a 15-0 victory on Thursday. The Lions might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won six matches by seven runs or more this season.

Noah Belote

Runs

04/10/25 vs Gaston Day	3
03/07/25 @ Christ School	3
03/31/25 @ Asheville Christian Academy	2
02/25/25 vs Parkwood	1

The team relied heavily on Noah Belote, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with one home run, three runs, and three RBI. He is becoming a predictor of Hickory Grove Christian's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 5-7 when he doesn't). Another player making a difference was Jack Dwyer, who scored a run while going 3-for-3.

Hickory Grove Christian was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .500. The last time their batting average was this high was back in March of 2024.

Meanwhile, Cary Christian didn't have quite enough to beat Grace Christian on Tuesday and fell 4-2.

Cary Christian's loss dropped their record down to 6-5. As for Hickory Grove Christian, they now have a winning record of 8-7.

The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Friday as neither team is afraid to steal. Hickory Grove Christian has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 2.9 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Cary Christian struggles in that department as they've been averaging 3.9 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.

Hickory Grove Christian came out on top in a nail-biter against Cary Christian in their previous meeting back in May of 2024, sneaking past 1-0. Do the Lions have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Knights turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.