The Harrells Christian Academy Crusaders will venture away from home to square off against the Rocky Mount Academy Eagles at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. Rocky Mount Academy took a loss in their last contest and will be looking to turn the tables on Harrells Christian Academy, who comes in off a win.
Harrells Christian Academy is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Tuesday. Their pitchers stepped up to hand Liberty Christian Academy a 19-0 shutout. The Crusaders' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Collin Cole
| 05/06/25 vs Liberty Christian Academy | 6 |
| 04/21/25 vs Lakewood | 5 |
| 03/19/24 vs Halifax Academy | 5 |
| 04/12/24 @ Greenfield | 4 |
| 04/08/25 @ Rocky Mount Academy | 3 |
Colten Harrell and Collin Cole were major factors while hitting and pitching. Throwing, Harrell struck out six batters over 2.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit (and only one walk). Meanwhile, Cole struck out six batters over 2.1 innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and only one walk). Those six strikeouts gave him a new career-high. At bat, Harrell went a perfect 2-for-2 with three RBI and one run, while Cole went a perfect 3-for-3 with two stolen bases, three RBI, and two runs. Cole is becoming a predictor of Harrells Christian Academy's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 2-1 (and 5-11 when he doesn't).
In other batting news, Dawson Smith was incredible, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two stolen bases, three runs, and three RBI. He has been hot recently, having posted at least one stolen base the last four times he's played. Another player making a difference was Coley Sasser, who went 1-for-3 with three runs, one stolen base, and one double.
Harrells Christian Academy always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .611. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, Friday just wasn't the day for Rocky Mount Academy's offense. They lost 9-0 to Faith Christian on Friday. Having soared to a lofty 15 runs in the game before, the Eagles' shutout was a dramatic turnaround.
Harrells Christian Academy is on a roll lately: they've won three of their last four matchups. That's provided a massive bump to their 7-12 record this season. The wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 3.5 runs on average over those games. As for Rocky Mount Academy, their loss dropped their record down to 8-8.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Harrells Christian Academy has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Rocky Mount Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.1 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Harrells Christian Academy might still be hurting after the 12-0 defeat they got from Rocky Mount Academy in their previous matchup back in April. Can the Crusaders avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
