St. John’s Christian Academy getting ready for the playoffs
By Neill Kirkpatrick
Special to the HSSR
Moncks Corner – St. John’s Christian Academy has gotten off to a solid start to the season at 8-5/4-2 and sits comfortably in playoff position as they head into their final three games of the season with two of the games against teams they could meet once the SCISA playoffs start in Orangeburg Prep and Williamsburg Academy. The third is against SCISA class A perennial power Holly Hill Academy.
Fortunately Head coach Stewart Pierce has a veteran group that understands what it takes to be successful to make a deep run in the playoffs.
“This a veteran group with seven seniors that have played a lot of baseball,” said coach Pierce. “We have worked hard to correct the little mistakes and we are playing our best baseball at the right time.”
Seniors Mason Ritter, Tyler Black and Sumpter Moorer have been the leaders of the team this season at the plate, in the field and on the bump. Moore leads the team in hits with 19, runs scored with 13, RBI’s with 8 and has hit for the cycle with three doubles, two triples and the teams lone round tripper. He also has stolen six bases. He has been just as impressive when he has taken the hill. He is 1-0 with a 1.14 era in eight appearance (team high) and leads the Cavs with three saves.
Black and Ritter are tied for the team lead in wins with three each. Black has a 1.68 era and leads the team with 45 strikeouts in 33 innings of work. He is hitting .300 with five RBI’s.
Ritter is 3-3 with a 2.17 era to go with 36 strikeouts in 26.2 innings of work. Teams have a .236 on base percentage against him.
Senior Landon Chipman is second on the team in most offensive categories. He is currently hitting .317 with 13 hits on the year. He is also second in stolen bases with eight. He has been solid at second base with a .951 fielding percentage and only two errors in 41 chances.
Lucas Morrison leads the team in stolen bases with 9. He continues to improve in other aspects of the game and is playing his best baseball as the playoffs near.
Junior catcher Jacob Glover has been outstanding behind the plate this season. He has two errors in a 111 chances for a .982 fielding percentage but his biggest value is how he has handles the pitchers.
