Baseball Recap: Pickens Academy Drops Highest Score of Season Against Pickens County

Pirates

Team Score (Highest)

04/03/25 vs Pickens County	26
03/17/25 @ Aliceville	17
03/20/25 vs Aliceville	15
02/22/25 @ Marion County	15
03/25/25 vs Holy Spirit Catholic	14

Winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Pickens Academy). Their pitchers stepped up to hand the Pickens County Tornadoes a 26-0 shutout on Thursday. The win was familiar territory for the Pirates, who have now won four contests in a row.

Braden Banks was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. He also tossed no walks, which is notable because Pickens Academy is 6-3 when he allows at most two walks, but 5-6 otherwise. Banks was even better at the plate, scoring three runs and stealing a base while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances. What's more, he posted three RBI, the most he's had since back in March.

In other batting news, Aaron Kirk and Hudson Pennington did most of the damage at the plate: Kirk went 3-for-4 with one home run, seven RBI, and two runs, while Pennington got on base in all four of his plate appearances with three stolen bases, four runs, and five RBI. The dominant performance also gave Kirk a new career-high in doubles (two). Will Garrett was another key player, scoring three runs and stealing two bases while getting on base in both of his plate appearances.

Pickens Academy always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .750. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.

Pickens Academy's victory was their fourth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 11-9. Those home wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 16.5 runs over those games. As for Pickens County, they are on a six-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 1-10.

Looking ahead, Pickens Academy will face off against Hubbertville at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. The Lions will roll in looking for their ninth straight victory, something the Pirates surely won't give up without a fight. As for Pickens County, they will host Holt at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.