With the tap of the bat and some good base running Tuesday, First Presbyterian Christian Academy got a small jump on last year’s Class AA state runners-up.
However, Edmund Burke Academy capitalized on late mistakes to beat FPCA, 14-6, at St. James baseball field.
In the bottom of the first inning, Highlander Darius Tilghman reached first on a hit, stole second and took third on a wild pitch. Jake Lee sacrificed to the outfield to bring home Tilghman, giving FPCA a 1-0 lead.
Lee did well on the mound for the first three innings to protect the Highlanders’ turf, but FPCA coach Ryan Harmon said things came undone in the top of the fourth inning.
“We had a very difficult time throwing strikes after the fourth inning,” he said. “The defense made a few errors, and the game got away from us.”
Edmund Burke (3-2, 2-2 as of Wednesday) gave up five more runs to the home team, but it wasn’t enough to stave off EBA’s momentum.
“We have to do better — plain and simple,” Harmon said.
FPCA (2-3, 1-2 as of Wednesday) was looking to bounce back in a game that was set for Thursday afternoon. The Highlanders were scheduled to face off against Memorial Day in a Georgia Independent School Association Region 2-AA contest. Results were unavailable at press time.