RTCA Wins 1st Round Matchup
The Robert Toombs Christian Academy Crusaders punched their ticket to the Elite 8 of the GIAA State Baseball Playoffs last week, sweeping the Crisp Academy Wildcats in a firstround series that showcased both sheer dominance on the mound and late-game grit.
Game 1
The story of the opening matchup was Brittan Tabor. He completely silenced the Wildcats' lineup, throwing a masterful no-hitter and striking out 15 batters in a 9-0 shutout victory. RTCA gave Tabor the only run support he would ultimately need right out of the gate, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a passed ball.
The Crusaders' offense then systematically broke the game open, adding a run in the fourth, three in the fifth, and a four-run exclamation point in the sixth to put the game away. Blake Durden anchored the lineup with three RBIs, while Brody Randall, Tabor, and Tae Franklin each drove in a run to secure the blowout.
Game 2
The series clincher proved to be a much heavier lift, requiring the Crusaders to battle back from a mid-game deficit to take a 5-4 victory in extra innings. RTCA jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first, scoring two runs on a fielder's choice, and tacked on another run in the fourth.
Crisp Academy finallay found some life at the plate in response, plating two runs in the bottom of the fourth and two more in the fifth to take a 4-3 lead. Down a run late, RTCA capitalized on a Crisp error in the top of the sixth to tie the game at four apiece.
After a scoreless seventh pushed the contest into extra innings, Franklin delivered when it mattered most. In the top of the eighth, he grounded out, but it was a productive out that pushed the go-ahead run across the plate. The Crusaders' defense locked down the Wildcats in the bottom half of the frame to hold the 5-4 lead and finish the sweep.
RTCA now turns its attention to the quarterfinals. The Crusaders will travel to Louisville this week to face the Thomas Jefferson Academy Jaguars in the Elite 8. The series kicks off with a doubleheader on Thursday starting at 2:00 p.m., with a decisive third game scheduled for Friday at 1:00 p.m. if necessary.
