Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
On Thursday, April 29, the Aucilla Christian Academy (ACA) Warriors claimed the Class 2A District Two baseball championship by defeating the Eagles of Oak Hall, from Gainesville, Fla., 9-6.
After falling behind, 1-0, in the first inning, the Warriors scored eight unanswered runs over the next four innings. The Eagles mounted a five-run rally in the top of the sixth inning to narrow the gap. The Warriors added one insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning and held the Eagles scoreless in the top of the seventh to seal the district title for the Warriors.
Tucker Rudd went two-for-three at the plate, with two RBIs. Brady Browning had one hit in three at-bats, with one RBI. Hunter Hughes went one-for-four in the batter's box, with one RBI. Tripp Joiner had one hit in three trips to the plate, with one RBI.
Browning and Joiner split pitching duties for the Warriors, yielding two hits, four earned runs and three walks. The Warriors' pitching pair also tallied 14 strike-outs.
The Warriors will now host the Saints of Wakulla Christian School in the Region One Quarter-final, on Friday, May 7, at ACA. The first pitch is set for 4 p.m.