Crusaders Sweep FPCA
The Robert Toombs Christian Academy Crusaders baseball team found exactly what they needed this week, turning a difficult start to the season into a clean slate as they opened region play. Facing off against the First Preparatory Christian Academy Highlanders, the Crusaders ground out a three-game sweep to move to 3-0 in the region and 3-7 overall.
Game 1
The series opener was a vintage pitcher’s duel that belonged entirely to Brittan Tabor. On a day where the bats were quiet on both sides, Tabor was a force on the mound, carving through the Highlanders' lineup to the tune of 13 strikeouts in a complete-game shutout.
The game remained a scoreless stalemate until the bottom of the sixth inning when Tabor took matters into his own hands at the plate. His sacrifice fly drove in the game's only run, providing just enough cushion for him to go back out and slam the door in the seventh for a 1-0 victory.
Game 2
The second installment of the series was a different animal entirely, requiring the Crusaders to show some late-inning grit. Brody Randall got the offense moving early with an RBI single in the second, and RTCA held a slim lead until the fifth when the Highlanders finally broke through.
After FPCA surged ahead to take a 4-2 lead into the final frame, the Crusaders refused to go quietly. A clutch hit by Tabor helped key a two-run rally in the top of the seventh to force extra innings. Once the game reached the eighth, the momentum shifted permanently. RTCA exploded for five runs in the top half of the inning to pull away for a 9-4 win, proving they could handle the pressure when the lights got brightest.
Game 3 The finale followed a similar see-saw pattern but ended with the same result. RTCA jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second, only to see the Highlanders move in front with two runs in the third. The Crusaders' depth showed up late again, as they plated three runs in the sixth and three more insurance runs in the seventh to pull away.
The 7-3 win completed the sweep and solidified their perfect start to the Region schedule. With the momentum of a three-game win streak at their backs, the Crusaders will now take the week off for Spring Break to rest up before the heart of the Region calendar arrives.
