The Varsity Baseball and Softball seasons are underway with the Varsity Softball team winning its first four Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference games and the Varsity Boys’ team posting a 1-1 record in the conference before the Easter break.
The Varsity Girls’ Softball Team finished in second place last year and is looking to be a conference contender again this year. On April 14, ACS played at home against Pilgrim Academy, who was in first place last season. ACS beat Pilgrim 13-12 in a game that saw every player contribute on offense and defense.
“Our girls will be very competitive this season and I’m excited about the strong contributions from some of our new players, especially freshman pitcher Ava Nixon,” said staff member Dara Kimmerley, in her ninth year as head coach. She is assisted by Kaylee Breunig, Lori Pearson, and Terry Vogel.
Top hitters so far this season are center fielder Maddie DeNick, shortstop Evangelina Kim, 1st baseman Alli Lushina, 3rd baseman Paige Noble, and catcher Taylor Sutton. The team’s only loss was to Our Lady of Mercy Academy, 10-2, in a non-conference game on April 2. Starting pitcher Ava Nixon is throwing strong from the mound, with six strikeouts in the March 31 game against Kings Christian School, which ACS won 12-2. She had 10 strikeouts in the April 5 game against Cumberland Christian, which ACS won 21-1, and 4 strikeouts in the game against Pilgrim Academy.
The 17 members of the Varsity Softball Team are: Isabell Alford, Kaia Barbour, Sophia Costello, Maddie DeNick, Rebecca DiMaio, Angela Eggie, Vera Huff, Dayeon Jang, Lauren Kent, Evangelina Kim, Alli Lushina, Ava Nixon, Reyna Lewis, Paige Noble, Allison Schlundt, Summer Scott, and Taylor Sutton.
The Varsity Boys’ Baseball Team is led by head Gus Casey, in his second year at the helm. He is assisted by Rob Barberio, Ben Chapman, and Frank Hannum. The Varsity Boys’ team finished in second place last year and Casey has an optimistic outlook for this season, with the overall goal of “building good men of God and a good baseball program that the community gets excited about to come watch.” ACS won its first game of the season against Cumberland Christian School and lost 8-1 at home on April 14 to Pilgrim Academy.
The 14 members of the Varsity Baseball Team are: Robby Barberio, Charlie Costello, John Hannum, Richie Jackson, Cole Lewis, Cruz Lewis, Nathan Mills, James Papanikolaou, Seth Phillips, Adam Schlundt, Josh Schlundt, Quinn Schrag, Eric VonColln, and Gary Wyckoff.
Check the Athletic Calendar on the ACS website or ACS App for all upcoming game schedules.
Photo Credit: Mia Liggins