Baseball Recap: Berean Academy Takes a Loss

Eagles

Previous 5 Games

04/16/26 vs East Ridge	9-23
04/14/26 @ Hardy Memorial	21-4
04/11/26 @ Mount Pisgah Christian Academy	8-5
04/11/26 vs Mount Pisgah Christian Academy	14-5
04/09/26 vs Van Buren County	26-37

Berean Academy dropped down to 8-4 on Thursday, ending the team's three-game streak of wins. They lost 23-9 to the East Ridge Pioneers. The result was an unpleasant reminder to the Eagles of the 4-3 defeat they experienced in the pair's previous head-to-head fixture back in April of 2024.

As for East Ridge, their victory ended a three-game drought on the road and puts them at 8-12-1. Their hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.

For East Ridge's part, Demarcus Scruggs made a splash no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. Those six strikeouts gave Scruggs a new career-high. He was even better at the plate, going 4-for-6 with two stolen bases, three runs, and three RBI. He is becoming a predictor of East Ridge's success: when he posts at least three hits the team is 3-1 (and 5-11-1 when he doesn't).

In other batting news, Payton Johnson was a standout: he went 2-for-5 with seven RBI, two stolen bases, and two runs. He has become a key player for East Ridge: the team is undefeated when he posts at least two runs, but 5-12-1 otherwise. Another player making a difference was Marshon Usher, who got on base in all five of his plate appearances with five stolen bases and three runs.

Both squads will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Berean Academy will take on Grace Baptist Academy at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. As for East Ridge, they will venture away from home to challenge Howard Tech at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. The Hstln Tigers have struggled to contain batters this season (they've allowed 16.65 runs per game on average), something the Pioneers will no doubt try to take advantage of.