Between tweaking the lineup in some spots and the quality of pitching that Christ School varsity baseball has seen, head coach Wes King P’27 feels supremely confident in his guys moving forward.
The Greenies did not give up a run all weekend in wins over Carolina Day (11-0 on Friday) and Durham Academy (15-0). In turn, the Greenies did their part at the plate to ensure neither game at Bourne Field went past five innings due to the mercy rule.
“I knew we were going to start to click a little bit offensively,” Coach King said.
“We’ve faced some really good arms and the guys are starting to get dialed in. They can sense the start of something. I feel like we’re competing better in the box, having some better at bats. There’s some situational things that we were struggling with in some of the games like putting the ball in play when we have runners on base. They’re doing a better job in those situations now, and seeing that good things happen.”
No players has been better the past four games than Asbury University recruit Jake Gravley ’24, who was in left field Saturday. Jake was all over a second-inning pitch for a three-run homer – the first to sail over the new outfield fence in a varsity game – and finished the afternoon with five RBIs.
Over the past four games, the senior from Brevard, N.C., has 10 RBIs and three homers.
“Jake is a huge leader for us, and I knew it was just a matter of time,” Coach King said.
“He’s helped really get us going. Our guys’ numbers are not where they need to be, and he’s been key for us turning it around.”
Ethan Rose ‘24 bats leadoff for a reason – his .391 batting average leads the team – and he was 3-for-4 with three RBIs on Saturday. Ethan closed out the game pitching-wise as well after four solid innings from Western Carolina University recruit Charlie Collins ’24 (4 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 8 SO).
Jakob Iwanek ’24, Wells Alderman ’26, Garin Gosnell ’27, and Corbin Spilliards ’27 each had one of Christ School’s nine hits.
The Greenies have another three games lined up next week, starting Monday at home against Charlotte Providence Day. The 4:30 p.m. nonconference game was previously postponed by rain.
JV Greenies 18, Asheville School 1
The JV Greenies racked up 18 hits in only four innings to win Friday’s game at Asheville School.
Patrick Robichaud ’27, Grant Prince ’28, and Neo Smith ’27 led Christ School (4-1) with two hits apiece. Patrick had four RBIs and Neo added three.