The Hickory Christian Academy Knights will head out on the road to take on the Salem Baptist Christian Vikings at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The pair are strolling into their games after big wins in their previous games.
Hickory Christian Academy put another one in the bag on Friday to keep their perfect season alive. They blew past Carolina Day 10-4. The result was nothing new for Hickory Christian Academy, who have now won four matches by six runs or more so far this season.
Jared Zientek and Jude Carter were a major factor while hitting and pitching. Throwing, Zientek tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Meanwhile, Carter tossed four innings while giving up just one earned run off one hit. At the plate, Zientek went 1-for-3 with a home run, two runs, and two RBI, while Carter scored a run while going 1-for-3.
They weren't the only ones making solid contact as six players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Caleb Friar, who went 2-for-4 with a triple, a run, and an RBI.
Meanwhile, after only two runs in their last matchup, Salem Baptist Christian made sure to put some runs up on the board against Greater Vision Academy on Friday. Everything went Salem Baptist Christian's way against Greater Vision Academy as Salem Baptist Christian made off with a 12-1 victory. The win was some much needed relief for Salem Baptist Christian as it spelled an end to their three-game losing streak.
Like Hickory Christian Academy, Salem Baptist Christian also got a great game from a pair of two-way players: Reece Pleasant. On the mound, Pleasant pitched four innings while giving up just one earned run off seven hits (he also didn't allow any walks). Meanwhile, Eli Hedrick pitched an inning while giving up no earned runs off one hit (he also didn't allow any walks). Pleasant has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive pitching appearances. At bat, Pleasant scored four runs and stole three bases while going 3-for-3, while Hedrick went 2-for-3 with three stolen bases, three RBI, and a double.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Avery Smith, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two stolen bases, two runs, and a triple. The team also got some help courtesy of Sam Hedrick, who scored two runs and stole a base.
Hickory Christian Academy pushed their record up to 6-0 with that victory, which was their sixth straight at home dating back to last season. Those good results were due in large part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 8.7 runs per game. As for Salem Baptist Christian, the win got them back to even at 4-4.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Tuesday as neither team is afraid to steal. Hickory Christian Academy has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Salem Baptist Christian struggles in that department as they've been averaging 3.9. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Hickory Christian Academy took their victory against Salem Baptist Christian in their previous matchup back in March by a conclusive 12-6. The rematch might be a little tougher for Hickory Christian Academy since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
