The Kerr-Vance Academy Spartans are taking a road trip to challenge the Harrells Christian Academy Crusaders at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. Kerr-Vance Academy will be strutting in after a win while Harrells Christian Academy will be coming in after a loss.
Kerr-Vance Academy is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They were the clear victors by a 19-3 margin over Halifax Academy on Tuesday. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the team's high-flying offense, the game also marked the team's biggest victory of the season.
Nathan McDaniel was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He struck out eight batters over five innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off three hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, scoring three runs and stealing a base while getting on base in three of his five plate appearances. That's the most runs he has posted since back in May of 2024.
Jaxton Stokes
| 04/15/25 @ Halifax Academy | 3 |
| 03/21/24 vs Southside Christian | 2 |
| 03/27/25 vs Cape Fear Christian Academy | 1 |
| 03/18/25 vs Faith Christian | 1 |
| 05/07/24 vs North Hills Christian | 1 |
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Jaxton Stokes, who got on base in all five of his plate appearances with one home run, three runs, and three RBI. Those three runs gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Ayden Devine, who scored two runs while getting on base in all five of his plate appearances.
Kerr-Vance Academy kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 13 hits. That's a new trend for them: they were averaging 4.7 hits per game earlier this season, but in their last 15 matchups they've averaged 9.2.
Meanwhile, after soaring to 18 runs the game before, Harrells Christian Academy was a bit more limited in their contest on Monday. They came up short against Wake Christian Academy, falling 8-2.
Jesse Smith was cooking despite his team's loss, going 1-for-3 with one triple, one run, and one RBI.
Kerr-Vance Academy's win was their first in the conference, bumping their conference record up to 1-4 and their overall record up to 4-8. As for Harrells Christian Academy, they have been struggling recently as they've lost five of their last six games. That's put a noticeable dent in their 2-9 record this season.
Kerr-Vance Academy couldn't quite get it done against Harrells Christian Academy in their previous matchup back in May of 2024 as they fell 7-3. Can the Spartans avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
