The Ezekiel Academy Knights will hit the road for the first time this season to challenge the Heritage Christian Academy Eagles at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Ezekiel Academy knows how to get runs on the board -- the squad has finished with ten runs or more in their past three contests -- so hopefully Heritage Christian Academy likes a good challenge.
Heritage Christian Academy's hitters are going to have their work cut out for them on Thursday: Ezekiel Academy hadn't allowed a single run the last three times they've hit the field. Ezekiel Academy blew past Lakeside School 12-0 on Tuesday. Considering the Knights have won eight games by more than five runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.
Sarah Vick
| 03/11/25 vs Lakeside School | 5 |
| 03/10/25 vs Wiregrass | 6 |
| 03/08/25 vs Monroe Academy | 7 |
| 03/06/25 vs Fort Dale Academy | 7 |
| 03/04/25 vs Tuscaloosa Home Educators | 9 |
| + 5 more games |
Sarah Vick was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in ten consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with one home run and two RBI.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Lauryn Darnell, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs. That's the most RBI she has posted since back in February. Jillian Newell was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 1-for-2.
Ezekiel Academy hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now struck out at most five strikeouts in 11 consecutive matches.
The home team had come away the winner the last three times Heritage Christian Academy and Coosa Valley Academy had met, but sadly for the fans who attended this one that wasn't the case. Heritage Christian Academy took a 9-5 hit to the loss column at the hands of Coosa Valley Academy on Tuesday.
Like Ezekiel Academy, Heritage Christian Academy also got a great game from a two-way player: Leah Pace. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out nine batters over seven innings while giving up just one earned (and eight unearned) runs off five hits. Pace was also big at the plate, getting on base in three of her five plate appearances with one triple, one stolen base, and one run. That triple marked the first that she hit this season.
Pace wasn't the only one making solid contact as two players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was AC Amick, who scored a run and stole a base while getting on base in three of her four plate appearances. That stolen base was Amick's first of the season.
Ezekiel Academy pushed their record up to 14-5 with the victory, which was their fifth straight at home. The wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.4 runs on average over those games. As for Heritage Christian Academy, their loss dropped their record down to 5-9.
Thursday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Ezekiel Academy hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .349. However, it's not like Heritage Christian Academy struggles in that department as they've averaged .318. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance. Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
