RTCA Falls In Elite 8

The Robert Toombs Christian Academy Crusaders saw their season draw to a close last week, falling in a 2-game sweep to the Thomas Jefferson Academy Jaguars in the Elite 8 of the GIAA Class A State Playoffs. The losses wrap up RTCA's year with a final overall record of 8-16, ending a hard-fought push into the postseason.

Game 1

Game 1 was a tough pill to swallow for the Crusaders, defined by a dominant pitching performance that was ultimately undone by struggles in the field. Brittan Tabor got the start on the mound for RTCA and delivered a stellar outing, racking up 13 strikeouts while surrendering just 4 hits. Unfortunately, the defense behind him unraveled, committing 11 errors over the course of the afternoon and giving a good Jaguars team too many extra opportunities.

Thomas Jefferson capitalized early, taking a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a 2-run single. Tabor settled in and threw 2 scoreless innings, giving the Crusaders a chance to climb back into it. In the top of the fourth, the offense delivered. RTCA knotted the game at 2-2 thanks to clutch RBIs from Tabor and Blake Owens.

The tie held until the bottom of the fifth when the Jaguars pushed across an RBI single to reclaim a 3-2 edge. Thomas Jefferson then put the game out of reach in the sixth, plating 4 more runs to extend their lead to 7-2. RTCA went quietly in the seventh to take the opening loss.

Game 2

Facing elimination in game 2, the Crusaders managed to clean up their fielding, committing only 2 errors. However, they ran into a buzzsaw at the plate. Thomas Jefferson’s offense was relentless, hammering out 10 hits and showing patience by drawing 11 walks.

The Jaguars took control in the top of the first inning, using a 2-run single and a sacrifice fly to build a quick 3-0 lead. The game broke wide open in the second inning when Thomas Jefferson exploded for 6 runs, highlighted by a big grand slam that pushed the deficit to 9-0.

TJA kept their foot on the gas, adding 2 runs in the third, 3 in the fourth, and a final run in the fifth to secure a 15-0 victory. The Crusaders were unable to find an answer offensively in the finale, finishing the game without a hit as their 2026 campaign came to a close.