Crusaders Sweep FPCA

The Crusader baseball team of Robert Toombs Christian Academy played a three-game Region series against First Presbyterian Christian Academy last week. RTCA played well and swept the series as they move to 7-3 on the season and 3-0 in Region play.

Game 1

In a game set to be an excellent pitching match up, The Robert Toombs Crusaders behind Britton Tabor's complete game, 17 strikeout performance, won against defending State Champion FPCA, 3-1.

Rayce Sharpe led the Crusader offense going 1-1 with a double, a walk, and an RBI. Banks Hopkins opened the scoring in the 2nd plating off a wild pitch. FPCA starter Evan North pitched out of trouble multiple innings, including striking out the side in the 3rd inning with a runner on 3rd and nobody out.

The Crusaders added some insurance in the 6th with an RBI double by Sharpe, and Tripp Durden drew a bases loaded walk in the 6th to extend the lead to 3-0. Tabor gave up a lead off single in the 7th by Cordoro, who came around to score on a wild pitch and an over throw at 3rd for the Highlanders only run.

Coach Brian Fitzgerald said, “We knew coming in their guy was gonna present us some challenges. Evan is a transfer from Richmond Hill and can really pitch, got himself in trouble in multiple innings and dug down and made some tough pitches to escape trouble. We didn't execute very well offensively but fortunately our guy Tabor was lights out and rose to the challenge of matching up with Evan North. If you like great pitching, this was the game for you both starters were dominant with North not surrendering a single hit and Tabor only giving up 1 hit. We have to do better when given opportunity to score, but its a process and we will learn from it and get better. Excited to get this one.”

Game 2

RTCA was at FPCA on Wednesday of last week for a double header to wrap up the Region series.

FPCA held the lead, 2-0, after the first inning, but RTCA picked up a run in the top of the second. RTCA scored three more in the third inning as they took a 4-2 lead over the Highlanders. FPCA answered with two runs in the bottom of the third to tie the game at 4-4.

But in the top of the fifth inning RTCA exploded for four runs as they went ahead, 8-4. FPCA scored a run in the bottom of the fifth, but RTCA plated three more runs in the top of the sixth. The Crusaders scored one more in the seventh, and then held FPCA to just one in the bottom of the final inning to take a 12-6 win.

The Crusaders' offense was led by Brittan Tabor, who was 4-4 with 2 doubles and 3 RBI's, Gage Brantley was 2-5 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI's, and Rayce Sharpe, was 2-3 with 2 RBI's.

Game 3

In the final game of the series, RTCA took the early lead when Brantley drove in a run on a single in the first inning. Tabor hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the third inning as RTCA led, 2-0, but FPCA plated a run in the bottom of the inning to cut the lead to 2-1.

RTCA answered with three more runs in the fourth inning to push their lead to 5-1. FPCA added a run in the sixth inning, but that was all they could get as RTCA won the game 5-2.

Tripp Durden pitched 6 innings of 3-hit baseball, giving up 1 earned run while striking out 3 to lead the Crusaders to a series sweep of the Highlanders. Brantley led the way offensively, collecting 3 hits in 4 at bats, while Hayden Kight had 2 hits, and Tabor continued his hot day, going 1-2 with 2 walks and 2 RBI's. Brody Randall had a clutch 2 RBI single that helped secure the win.

Coach Fitzgerald stated, “Tripp was really good on the mound, had been struggling with some arm soreness issues but really came in and was clutch. Brittan continued his hot day with multiple RBI's and Gage Brantley pitched some really good pitches, collecting 3 hits and an RBI. I was happy to see Brody get a clutch 2-out hit that set the tone for us offensively, driving in a couple of runs. A series sweep was huge, against the defending single A state champs, and puts us in a good position with a huge series coming up against Memorial Day School. FPCA starting pitcher Koa Nunn had a terrible injury during the game and had to be taken off by EMS personnel. Our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family for a speedy recovery.”