Baseball Game Preview: Village Christian Academy Knights vs. American Leadership Academy-Johnston Patriots

The Village Christian Academy Knights will face off against the American Leadership Academy-Johnston Patriots at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. Village Christian Academy is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.5 runs per game this season.

On Thursday, Village Christian Academy earned an 8-3 win over Cape Fear Christian Academy.

Sam Zeisset made a splash no matter where he played. On the mound, he tossed five innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off two hits. Zeisset was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with one stolen base and one RBI.

Eli Guinn

Home Runs (Career)

04/03/25 vs Cape Fear Christian Academy	2
03/28/25 vs Fayetteville Christian	1
03/11/25 @ The O'Neal School	1
03/07/25 vs Goldsboro	1

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Eli Guinn, who fired off two home runs, three runs, and three RBI while going 3-for-4. Those two home runs gave him a new career-high. Noah Salisbury was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing two bases.

Meanwhile, American Leadership Academy-Johnston was not able to break out of their rough patch on Thursday as the team picked up their fourth straight defeat. They took an 8-3 hit to the loss column at the hands of Wallace-Rose Hill.

American Leadership Academy-Johnston saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Payton McMahon, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-2. McMahon also put up a double, which was his first of the season.

American Leadership Academy-Johnston's loss dropped their record down to 10-4. As for Village Christian Academy, their victory bumped their record up to 9-4.

The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Village Christian Academy has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like American Leadership Academy-Johnston struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.9 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one. Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.