Alabama Christian (13-14) played their second Area series of the season this week and once again split the first two games and lost the tie-breaker. Although the PA announcer at St James prematurely pronounced that the Trojans had clinched a playoff spot, all four teams in the Area still have a chance to make or miss the postseason. ACA’s path would be a two-game sweep of MA and a sweep by either PCA or St James of each other.
The week started with games on Monday and Tuesday against Park Crossing and Autauga Academy. The Eagles defeated Park Crossing on Monday 20-4, which was the first time the Eagles had scored that many runs since 2009. On Tuesday, ACA defeated Autauga Academy 9-0 highlighted by a three-run homer by Teilan Long. Four pitchers were able to get some work and ready themselves for the St James series. However, the moment of the night was a third inning pinch-hit appearance by Jackson Burton. The senior has been unable to play so far this season due to injury and he delivered an RBI single in the at-bat. The run driven in was the 53rd of his career and moved him into the Top 20 in program history.
In game one of the St James series, the Trojans struck first with a run in the first, but ACA answered in the second to tie the game. Dee Howze delivered a two-out single that drove in Kennan McCarthy. St James scored three times in the fourth aided by two ACA errors and they would never trail again. St James scored ten runs over the last four innings to pull away for an 11-2 win. Bryson Dabney led the offense with two hits and a walk.
Like the PCA series, ACA got off to a good start in game two of the series. David Johnson and Beau Gainey delivered run scoring singles in the first to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead. The lead stretched to four runs in the second as Ethan Dabney and David Johnson each drove in a run. The St James offense woke up and scored four runs over the next two innings to tie the game after three. David Johnson came in and shut the Trojan offense down over the final four innings as he allowed just two hits while striking out three, earning the victory on the mound. ACA scored single runs in the fifth, sixth, and seventh frames for the 7-4 win. Ethan Dabney went 3 for 3 with two walks, two RBI’s, and two runs scored to lead the offense. David Johnson finished 2 for 3 with two walks and two runs driven in. The offense could not put anything together in the tie-breaker and St James steadily pulled away for a 10-0 win in five innings. The offense mustered just four hits.
Season Leaders
Batting Avg. - Ethan Dabney - .388, Teilan Long - .352, Beau Gainey - .310 On-base % - Teilan Long - .511, Ethan Dabney - .495, David Johnson - .458 RBI’s - Bryson Dabney - 18, Beau Gainey - 17, David Johnson and Ethan Dabney - 16 Runs Scored - Teilan Long - 23, Bryson Dabney - 21, David Johnson and Ethan Dabney - 19
Wins - Mason Henry - 4, David Johnson and Beau Gainey - 3 Strikeouts - Mason Henry and Beau Gainey - 31, David Johnson and Cam Sutton - 29 ERA - Cam Sutton - 2.63, Mason Henry - 3.03, David Johnson - 4.04