East Central HomeSchool hasn't had much luck against Evangel Christian recently, but that could start to change on Monday. The East Central HomeSchool Patriots will challenge the Evangel Christian Lightning at 7:00 p.m. East Central HomeSchool is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.5 runs per game this season.
East Central HomeSchool had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 12-run drubbing they dealt Cullman on Friday. East Central HomeSchool was the clear victors by a 15-3 margin over Cullman. That looming 15-3 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Patriots yet this season.
Andrew Barksdale made a big impact no matter where he played. On the mound, he struck out eight batters over 3.1 innings while giving up just two earned runs off three hits. Barksdale was even better at the plate, scoring three runs and stealing Three bases. while going 3-for-4. He is becoming a predictor of East Central HomeSchool's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 1-2 when he doesn't).
Bennett Segars
| 03/07/25 vs Cullman | 3 |
| 02/13/25 @ Cullman | 2 |
| 04/23/24 @ Varsity Opponent | 2 |
| 03/06/25 vs Tabernacle | 1 |
| 04/15/24 vs Tuscaloosa Home Educators | 1 |
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Bennett Segars, who scored three runs and stole Four bases. while going 4-for-4. The dominant performance also gave him a new career-high in RBI (three). Tucker Wadsworth was another key player, going 2-for-4 with four RBI, two runs, and one double.
East Central HomeSchool kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 16 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least eight hits in three consecutive games.
Meanwhile, Evangel Christian earned a 7-4 win over Bethlehem Christian Academy on Saturday.
ZAC GROSSMANN was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He struck out six batters over six innings while giving up four earned runs off six hits (and only one walk). He has been consistent recently: he hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in four consecutive appearances. He was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring two runs and stealing Two bases. while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances.
GROSSMANN wasn't the only one making solid contact as two players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was RALEY CURTIS, who scored a run while going 1-for-4. Another was TREY HOPE, who scored two runs and stole a base while getting on base in three of his five plate appearances.
Evangel Christian pushed their record up to 10-1 with the victory, which was their tenth straight on the road dating back to last season. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.6 runs over those games. As for East Central HomeSchool, they are on a roll lately: they've won three of their last four contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 4-2 record this season.
East Central HomeSchool suffered a grim 16-5 defeat to Evangel Christian in their previous meeting back in April of 2024. Can East Central HomeSchool avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
