Class 5A baseball: Defending champ American Christian takes series lead against Faith Academy
American Christian is one win away from its second consecutive Class 5A state title.
Olivia Bennett 
The championship pedigree of American Christian Academy was on full display Thursday as the Patriots took a commanding lead in the Class 5A baseball championship series with a 3-0 victory over Faith Academy.
A Decisive Third Inning
Despite Faith Academy (29-9) holding a 5-3 advantage in total hits, American Christian utilized a masterful small-ball clinic in the third inning to secure the win. Following a dropped third strike that allowed Jaylen Crocker to reach base, the Patriots capitalized on the opportunity. Paxton Wolbach and BJ Garth executed back-to-back sacrifice bunts to pressure the Rams, setting the table for Caleb McAusland’s sacrifice fly. Hudson McComb then broke the game open with a two-run double, providing all the run support required.
Dominance on the Mound
ACA sophomore Drew Jackson proved nearly untouchable, dealing six and two-thirds innings of shutout baseball. Jackson surrendered five hits and did not issue a single walk before BJ Garth entered to record the final out. Faith Academy junior Brodie Wilson, an Auburn commit, delivered a gritty performance in his own right, tossing all six innings and retiring the final six batters in order, though the damage from the third frame proved too much to overcome.
“We don’t do a lot of small ball, but when you’re facing a really good team you’ve got to manufacture runs,” ACA coach Del Howell noted. “You bunt every day at practice for one chance in a game and they executed great.”
Looking Ahead
American Christian (37-10) now sits just one victory away from securing a second consecutive Class 5A state title. Faith Academy coach Matt Seymour emphasized that his team remains focused on the task ahead, noting, “In close games like that every baserunner can hurt you. We had our chances though with guys in scoring position. We just need to come up with the big hit.”
The series continues Friday at 10 a.m. at Jacksonville State University. If a third game is required to decide the championship, it will be played immediately following the conclusion of Game 2.
