Cary Christian is on a four-game streak of home wins, while Thales Academy Apex is on a four-game streak of away wins: one of those streaks is about to end. The Knights will host the Titans at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Cary Christian is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They blew past Trinity Academy 13-2 on Thursday.
Jackson Hill
| 04/17/25 @ Trinity Academy | 2 |
| 04/04/25 @ Durham Academy | 1 |
| 04/03/25 @ Wake Christian Academy | 1 |
| 04/01/25 vs Wake Christian Academy | 1 |
| 03/25/25 vs St. David's | 1 |
Jackson Hill and Samuel Snyder made a big impact no matter where they played. On the mound, Hill pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Snyder pitched two innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off one hit. He has been consistent: he hasn't given up more than two walks in eight consecutive appearances. At bat, Hill went 2-for-3 with three stolen bases, two runs, and one double, while Snyder earned two runs and two stolen bases. Those two runs gave Hill a new career-high.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Zachary Lindstrom, who got on base in all four of his plate appearances with three stolen bases and three runs. That's the most stolen bases he has posted since back in April of 2024. Luke Dearolf was another key player, going a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Meanwhile, after only one run in their last match, Thales Academy Apex made sure to put some runs up on the board against Neuse Christian Academy on Monday. The Titans were the clear victors by a 16-5 margin over the Lions. The win continues a trend for the Titans in their matchups with the Lions: they've now won nine in a row.
Like Cary Christian, Thales Academy Apex also got a great game from a two-way player: Louis Olsen. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Olsen was also big at the plate, getting on base in two of his four plate appearances with three runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Olsen wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Rylan Sheldon, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI. Thales Academy Apex is undefeated when Sheldon posts two or more runs, but 2-3 otherwise. Another was James Speight, who went 1-for-3 with three runs and one stolen base.
Cary Christian's victory ended a three-game drought on the road and puts them at 8-5. As for Thales Academy Apex, their win bumped their record up to 8-3.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Cary Christian has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Thales Academy Apex struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Everything went Cary Christian's way against Thales Academy Apex in their previous meeting back in May of 2024, as Cary Christian made off with a 7-1 victory. Will the Knights repeat their success, or do the Titans have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
