The Grace Christian baseball team ended the season on a hot streak, winning nine straight games while outscoring the opposition 103-14 to finish 16-3.
“They did really well, so I am really satisfied,” said coach Ralph Goss. “I thought we would be competitive this year, which we were. We had people who stepped up. They weren't first-year players, but they were first-year starters.”
Two players who stepped up defensively were seniors Clay Crowder, who moved from the outfield to second base, and Elijah Caudill, a first-year starter in centerfield.
“I can't tell you how many attempts he (Crowder) had, but he didn't make but one error the entire season,” Goss said.
The Eagles won with offense, averaging more than 12 runs a game. Junior Grant Bontrager led the attack with a .519 batting average (27 for 52), .603 on base average, .923 slugging, six doubles, three triples and three homers. Junior Alex Taylor batted .467 with five doubles, sophomore Wes Agnew .453 with three doubles and two triples and senior Brandon Mast .449 with two doubles, two triples and two homers.
Taylor was the leading pitcher with a 2.66 earned run average and 50 strikeouts in 29 innings. Bontrager had a 3.55 ERA and fanned 28 in 21.2 innings.
The last loss came against Jackson Victors, a powerful home school team. The other two losses were by one run early in the season, 8-7 to Kemper Academy and 11-10 against Columbus Christian. Grace Christian reversed both of those outcomes in a rematch, defeating Kemper Academy 11-1 and Columbus Christian 19-9.
With only three seniors in the starting lineup, the future is bright for the Eagles.
Goss concluded by saying, “I would like to congratulate each and every one of the boys, which I have done. And especially give thanks to the school for letting me be their coach, and to the parents for supporting us the way they have.”
