With an impressive home win Tuesday, Bethel Christian Academy has earned the right to play for a possible state championship this weekend, also at home.
“It beats driving several hours and spending the night in a hotel,” said Trojans coach Kenny Sutton, whose team knocked off Goldsboro Faith Christian 10-2 in the NCCSA state 2A quarterfinals. “We’ve put ourselves in position to win a state championship without leaving our own beds. It’s the situation we were hoping for.
The Trojans (13-7) will host the semifinals and finals beginning Friday. As the second seed from the East, they will battle the yet-to-be-determined top seed from the West Friday at 4 p.m.
“No matter who we play, it’s going to be a tough assignment,” Sutton said. “But at least we get them on our own field. It’s a benefit I think this team can take advantage of.”
Bethel earned that advantage by dispatching a Faith team they had defeated soundly by a combined 22-5 score twice during the regular season.
A six-run first inning outburst decided the outcome early.
The Trojans managed just two hits in the opening frame, but took advantage of three errors and three walks to build the quick and insurmountable advantage.
“Getting off to a fast start was we were hoping to do,” Sutton said. “It allowed us to play everybody on the roster and to use minimize our pitcher’s innings. Pitching wise, we’ll be well rested for the weekend.”
Four Bethel hurlers combined to scatter seven hits with six strikeouts. Perhaps the most impressive of the group was eighth-grader Cole Williams, making his first varsity mound appearance.
Williams faced the minimum six batters and fanned three over two innings.
“All of our pitchers threw the ball well, but Cole was lights out,” Sutton said. “He’s got a great arm and we will continue to use him as needed.”
The Trojans defense played errorless ball behind the quartet of pitchers and even turned in a couple of spectacular plays, notably a diving catch by centerfielder Davon Edwards.
Offensively, Bethel collected 10 hits, led by Hunter Truett, who singled, doubled and drove in a run. Edwards added a pair of base hits with a RBI, while Alex Hardison, Daniel Daugherty, Austin Croom, and Luke Stalnaker also contributed run-scoring plate appearances.
“Overall, I’m pleased with the way we played,” Sutton said. “It wasn’t our best game, but it got us to where we wanted to be: playing at home with a chance to win the state title.”
Faith 000 020 0—2 7 7
Bethel 600 130 x—10 10 0
Price, Casbarro (1), Wise (4), Casbarro (5) and Wise, Casbarro (4), Wise (5); Truett, Williams (3), Potter (5), Antwine (7) and Daugherty. W—Truett. L—Price.