COURTLAND
Heading into spring break, the Southampton Academy Raiders baseball team has started off strong with an 8-0 record thus far. The success has come from hard work, team chemistry and playing fundamental baseball, said head coach Tim Nixon.

The Raiders began their season on March 10 with an 8-0 win over Division II Peninsula Catholic. Brynner Porter pitched a strong first game, as the Raiders pounded out 11 hits and limited their opponent to one hit. On March 12, the Raiders won a hard-fought battle against Isle of Wight Academy, with a final score of 7-2. Andrew Lowe was the winning pitcher. The Raiders finished with eight hits and only allowed the Chargers batters four. The gloves also came out to help preserve the victory.

In the following game against Portsmouth Christian, Matt Rose picked up the win and only allowed one hit in his four innings on the mound. Brooks Holland relieved Rose to finish the game. The final score was 6-2, and SA finished with nine hits to Portsmouth Christian’s three.

The first conference game was played at home on March 17 against Kenston Forest School. Porter picked up his second win with a score of 6-2. The Raiders proved to be strong offensively by picking up eight hits in that game.

On March 23, the Raiders went head-to-head with Brunswick Academy in Lawrenceville. The game was a pitching duel between Lowe and Brunswick’s Dominick Jenkins. Lowe allowed two hits and no runs, while Jenkins allowed only three hits, but gave up two runs. Jack Smith had a very strong offensive game with a double, triple and an RBI.

SA took on conference foe Tidewater Academy the next day in Wakefield. The game was a tight contest until the very end. The Raiders prevailed with Porter clinching his third victory with a score of 7-4.

On March 31, the Raiders traveled to Powhatan to play Blessed Sacrament Huguenot. This game proved to be SA’s best offensive outing of the year. The Raiders plated 15 runs in a six inning game with Lowe picking up this third win of the season with a final score of 15-1.

The second match of the year with Brunswick Academy was played last week at home. The Raiders prevailed with a score of 4-0. Porter pitched his fourth victory behind timely hitting from Matt Rose and Paul Parker. SA’s success thus far has come from a good solid showing from all members of the team.

This week, the Raiders will compete in the Tarboro Easter Classic in Tarboro, North Carolina. They will return to their schedule on April 13 in Hampton for a rematch against Peninsula Catholic and will play at home on on April 16 against Tidewater Academy.