Abilene Christian hasn't had much luck against Covenant Classical recently, but that could start to change on Thursday. The Panthers will take on the Cavaliers at 4:30 p.m. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, these teams will really light up the scoreboard.
Abilene Christian came out on top against Chisholm Trail Academy on Tuesday thanks in part to the team's impressive eight-run second inning. The Panthers put the hurt on the Blazers with a sharp 16-2 win. The Panthers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won four matchups by 14 runs or more this season.
Everett Martin
| 03/31/26 @ Chisholm Trail Academy | 10 |
| 02/27/26 vs Winters | 4 |
| 03/13/26 vs Hamlin | 2 |
| 03/13/26 vs Hamlin | 1 |
| 03/03/26 vs Covenant Classical | 1 |
Everett Martin made a splash while hitting and pitching. He struck out ten batters over five innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off five hits. Those ten strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run. He has been hot recently, having posted at least one stolen base the last three times he's played.
In other batting news, Nolan Hanks was a standout: he went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, four RBI, and two runs. Those four RBI gave him a new career-high. Pierson Walters also deserves some recognition as he hit his first triple of the season.
Meanwhile, Covenant Classical hadn't done well against Christian Life Preparatory recently (they were 1-7 in their previous eight matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Tuesday. The Cavaliers never let the Knights get on the board and left with a 15-0 victory. The contest marked the Cavaliers' most dominant win of the season.
Like Abilene Christian, Covenant Classical also got a great game from a two-way player: Rhodes Long. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only one hit while striking out ten over five innings pitched. Covenant Classical is 4-1 when Long allows two or fewer hits, but 3-4 otherwise. Long was also big at the plate, going 1-for-2 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
In other batting news, Covenant Classical got a big performance out of Harrison Gray, who went 2-for-4 with two runs, two RBI, and one double. Isaac Crawford was another key player, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with three runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
Covenant Classical always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .541. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
The victory (which was Abilene Christian's third in a row) raised their record to 5-6. Those wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.3 runs on average over those games. As for Covenant Classical, their record is now 7-5.
Thursday's game might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Abilene Christian has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .545. However, it's not like Covenant Classical struggles in that department as they've averaged .445. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Abilene Christian might still be hurting after the 16-4 defeat they got from Covenant Classical in their previous matchup back in March. Can the Panthers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
