For the first time this season, Pinecrest Academy will have a chance to prove themselves in a conference matchup on Monday. They will look to defend their home field against the Lanier Christian Academy Lightning at 4:30 p.m. Pinecrest Academy is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 12.1 runs per game this season.
Pinecrest Academy's pitching crew heads into the contest hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Thursday. Everything went their way against Trinity Classical as Pinecrest Academy made off with a 24-0 win. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Paladins.
Cooper Chupp looked comfortable as he tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up a single earned run in three consecutive appearances.
Mathew Sime
| 03/20/25 vs Trinity Classical | 4 |
| 02/29/24 vs Horizon Christian Academy | 3 |
| 02/27/24 @ Young Americans Christian | 3 |
| 02/27/25 vs Johnson Ferry Christian Academy | 2 |
| 04/23/24 @ Horizon Christian Academy | 2 |
On the hitting side, Pinecrest Academy got a massive performance out of Mathew Sime, who scored four runs while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances. Those four runs gave Sime a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Charles Dodson, who scored three runs and stole Three bases. while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
Pinecrest Academy always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .800. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their OBP total in three consecutive matches.
Meanwhile, Lanier Christian Academy came up short against Johnson Ferry Christian Academy on Thursday and fell 9-5. The Lightning have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
Gavin Strabala put in work while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over three innings while giving up just one earned run off three hits (and not a single walk). Strabala was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
In other batting news, Mikah Criste made the most of his time at bat despite the final result and went 1-for-3 with two stolen bases, one double, and one RBI. That double was his first of the season. Another player making a difference was Earl Adamson, who scored a run and stole a base while going 1-for-3.
Pinecrest Academy's victory was their seventh straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 9-1. Those victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.3 runs on average over those games. As for Lanier Christian Academy, their loss dropped their record down to 4-3.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Monday as neither team is afraid to steal. Pinecrest Academy has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.3 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Lanier Christian Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging 3.9 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Pinecrest Academy skirted past Lanier Christian Academy 4-3 when the teams last played back in March of 2024. Will Pinecrest Academy repeat their success, or does Lanier Christian Academy have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
