On Tuesday the First Presbyterian Christian Academy Highlanders struggled against Georgia Christian, taking a 13-7 loss. But Friday afternoon the boys bounced back, beating neighboring Faith Baptist 16-11 at Joseph Miller Park.
FPCA 7, GC 13
According to Highlander coach Craig Ward, Cameron Riley started on the mound in Tuesday’s match but was relieved by Nathan Ward early in the second inning. Ward pitched the remainder of the game.
But the coach said his team committed several errors late, resulting in five unearned runs.
"Overall with this young team we are doing better at the plate," Coach Ward said.
Against Georgia Christian, the younger Ward hit two home runs, pulling is batting average up to .688. Riley is hitting .386 and two eighth graders, Dalton Smiley and Phillip Swindell are averaging .333 and a .289, respectively.
FPCA 16, Faith 11
The Highlanders showed improvement at the plate against the Crusaders of Ludowici Friday afternoon, coming from behind and taking a 16-11 win at Joseph Miller Park.The Crusaders took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. But the highlanders quickly tied in the bottom of the inning.
In the top of the second the Crusaders scored on a sacrifice bunt. Crusader Aaron Power scored, stealing home on a wild pitch. The Crusaders then loaded the bases and Highlander pitcher Phillip Swindell walked in a run.
In the bottom of the second, the Highlanders missed an opportunity to score, leaving the bases loaded. They trailed 5-2.
The Crusaders added a run in the top of the third. However the Highlanders sprang into action in a two-out rally in the bottom of the inning. Hunter Gillon smacked in two runs and Carson Smith ran in on a wild throw. At the close of the third the FPCA boys trailed by one.
In the fourth the Highlanders relieved Swindell with Rickey Gilliard who held the Crusaders scoreless. The FPCA boys took their at bat and for the first time in the game they took the lead when Matt Brown smacked one right toward Crusader Aaron Power. Power fielded the ball but an error at first allowed Brown to get on and two runners scored. FPCA loaded the bases and the Crusaders walked in a run. Gillon then smacked in two more runs to go up 10-6.
The Crusaders added a run in the fifth inning. The Highlanders loaded the bases and Brown got an RBI. The Highlanders kept the bats swinging, closing the inning 14-7.
In the sixth the Crusaders closed the gap, scoring four, but the Highlanders added two more runs for the 16-11 win.
Overall the Highlanders are 2-5 and 0-1 in the Georgia Independent School Association 2-A region.