After both having extra time off, the Salem Baptist Christian Vikings and the Statesville Christian Lions will shake off the cobwebs and hit the field against one another at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Both come into the matchup bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Salem Baptist Christian was handed a seven-run loss in their previous outing, but that didn't affect their clutch gene last Thursday. They won by a run and slipped past Atkins 6-5. The victory continues a trend for the Vikings in their matchups with the Camels: they've now won three in a row.
Eli Hedrick
| 04/03/25 vs North Hills Christian | 4 |
| 03/18/25 @ Oak Ridge Military Academy | 4 |
| 04/10/25 @ Atkins | 2 |
| 04/08/25 @ Statesville Christian | 2 |
| 03/28/25 vs Hickory Christian Academy | 1 |
Eli Hedrick was a major factor no matter where he played. He pitched 2.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with two runs and one stolen base. He is becoming a predictor of Salem Baptist Christian's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 3-1 (and 0-6 when he doesn't).
Hedrick wasn't the only one making solid contact as three players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Andrew Baker, who went 2-for-4 with one stolen base and two RBI.
Meanwhile, Statesville Christian made easy work of Salem Baptist Christian last Tuesday and carried off a 13-6 win.
Like Salem Baptist Christian, Statesville Christian also got a great game from a two-way player: Toby Stewert. Throwing, Stewert pitched six innings while giving up just two earned (and three unearned) runs off five hits. Meanwhile, Jeremy Todd tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. At bat, Stewert went 1-for-4 with two RBI, one run, and one double, while Todd got on base in all five of his plate appearances with four runs. Those four runs gave Todd a new career-high.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on John Nielsen, who got on base in three of his five plate appearances with three runs and one RBI.
Statesville Christian now has a winning record of 6-5. As for Salem Baptist Christian, their victory bumped their record up to 3-7.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Salem Baptist Christian has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Statesville Christian struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.5 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Salem Baptist Christian suffered a grim 13-6 defeat to Statesville Christian when the teams last played last Tuesday. Will the Vikings have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
