Baseball Game Preview: Northside Christian Academy Crusaders vs. Cardinal Newman Cardinals

The Northside Christian Academy Crusaders will venture away from home to square off against the Cardinal Newman Cardinals at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Northside Christian Academy is coming into the matchup hot, having won their last six games.

Northside Christian Academy gave up the first runs last Thursday, but they didn't let that get them down. They blew past Heathwood Hall Episcopal 14-4. Considering the Crusaders have won seven games by more than five runs this season, Thursday's blowout was nothing new.

Grayson Crim was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in seven consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 2-for-4. He has become a key player for Northside Christian Academy: the team is undefeated when he posts at least two runs, but 3-5 otherwise.

Will Spotts

Runs

02/28/25 @ Bamberg-Ehrhardt	3
02/27/25 @ Palmetto Christian Academy	3
03/27/25 @ Heathwood Hall Episcopal	2
03/21/25 @ Briarwood Academy	2
03/20/25 vs Richard Winn Academy	2
+ 5 more games

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Will Spotts, who scored two runs and stole a base while getting on base in four of his five plate appearances. He is becoming a predictor of Northside Christian Academy's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 3-5 when he doesn't). The team also got some help courtesy of Cade McNeill, who scored two runs and stole two bases while going 2-for-4.

Northside Christian Academy was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .419. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .389 or higher in three consecutive contests.

Cardinal Newman's found some homefield redemption this week after a overtime loss to Augusta Christian last Friday. Cardinal Newman had just enough and edged out White Knoll 2-1.

Northside Christian Academy's record is now 8-5. As for Cardinal Newman, their record is now 3-4.