Lanier Christian Academy is a perfect 3-0 against Young Americans Christian since March of 2022 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Monday. The Lightning will take on the Eagles at 6:00 p.m. Lanier Christian Academy will aim to continue their three-game streak of scoring more runs each matchup than the last.
Having struggled with three defeats in a row, Lanier Christian Academy turned things around against Horizon Christian Academy on Thursday. They were the clear victors by a 9-2 margin over the Warriors. With that win, the Lightning brought their scoring average up to 6.3 runs per game.
Tres Criste made a splash while hitting and pitching. He struck out eight batters over six innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off three hits. That's the most strikeouts he has posted since back in February. He was also big at the plate, getting on base in four of his five plate appearances with two stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI. He is becoming a predictor of Lanier Christian Academy's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 4-1 (and 2-7 when he doesn't).
Mikah Criste
| 04/17/25 @ Horizon Christian Academy | 2 |
| 03/27/25 vs Pinecrest Academy | 1 |
| 03/20/25 vs Johnson Ferry Christian Academy | 1 |
| 02/24/25 @ Johnson Ferry Christian Academy | 1 |
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Mikah Criste, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, two RBI, and one double. Those two RBI gave him a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Hayden Davis, who went 2-for-4 with one stolen base, one run, and one double.
Lanier Christian Academy kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 15 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.
Young Americans Christian couldn't beat Trinity Christian School of Griffin back in March even though they stacked six runs on them in the third inning. The Eagles fell just short of the LIONS by a score of 11-9. The Eagles have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
Kenneth Haynes put in work no matter where he played. On the mound, he struck out ten batters over 5.1 innings while giving up just two earned (and five unearned) runs off four hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in four consecutive appearances. He was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and one stolen base. He also hit a double, marking his first of the season.
In other batting news, LJ Howard was cooking despite his team's loss, going a perfect 4-for-4 with three stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI. Jack Sullivan also deserves some recognition as he brought in his first RBI of the season.
Young Americans Christian's loss dropped their record down to 2-10. As for Lanier Christian Academy, their victory was their first in the region, bumping their region record up to 1-3 and their overall record up to 6-8.
Everything went Lanier Christian Academy's way against Young Americans Christian in their previous matchup back in April of 2024, as Lanier Christian Academy made off with a 13-3 win. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Lightning since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
