Cape Fear Christian Academy started its baseball season with a 5-3 Sandhills Athletic Conference win over visiting Fayetteville Christian School on Thursday.

The Warriors had the bases loaded in the top of the fifth inning with two out when freshman right-hander Landon Alphin delivered a called third strike on a full-count pitch.

The game was called at that point with daylight diminishing giving coach Andrew White a win in his first game with the Eagles.

“Proud of the team’s overall effort,” White said. “Solid pitching and heads-up baserunning contributed greatly. We will use this game as a solid foundation going forward.”:

CFCA hosts Halifax in a nonconference 1-A matchup on Monday at 4 p.m.

Senior left-hander Reid Miller will not be available on the mound on Monday after throwing 100 pitches and getting the win on Thursday. Miller allowed three hits and two walks while striking out eight.

Alphin got the save with two whiffs and a pair of walks.

The Eagles scored twice in the first and added three runs in the second. Getting hits for CFCA were Zeke Brock, Casen Pope, Miller, Paul Maynor and Alphin.

Barrett Raynor had a sacrifice bunt.

Brock, Pope, Alphin and Miller had stolen bases.

CFCA softball wins, 16-1

The Eagles improved to 2-0 going into a Monday matchup with Halifax at 4 p.m. The Vikings topped CFCA two games to one for the NCISAA 1-A championship in 2021.

After a 20-0 win at Fayetteville Christian on Tuesday, the Eagles took a 16-1 win at home over the Warriors on Thursday.

Mariah Bell and Cailee Ray have not made an out in two games. Bell, who has committed to Mount Olive, had five runs batted in on three hits Thursday. She is 8-for-9 thus far and reached on an error.

Ray is 8-for-8 with a walk, including 4-for-4 Thursday. Rhyleigh Horne, who has committed to Mount Olive, had two hits and three RBIs.

Bell had six stolen bases Thursday and Ray swiped four.

CFCA scored 10 runs in the third inning as Bell, Kimberly Bordeaux, Megan Harrold, Trinity Olive and Ray all had RBIs.

Horne pitched three innings with five strikeouts, three walks, two hits and no runs.

Bordeaux pitched the last two innings, yielding a home run with no walks.

FCS takes girls soccer

Fayetteville Christian was a 9-2 winner in varsity girls soccer on Thursday.

CFCA’s goals came on penalty kicks by Gracie Byrd.

“Overall, I was pleased,” said Eagles coach Michael Breslin. “Playing a conference match with only a few practices was a challenge, but the girls played well as a team. I challenged them to be competitive for 80 minutes and they were. We managed to have an effective attack.

“Gracie Byrd, Ella John Dupree, and Lexie Crumley were able to move the ball in the attacking third of the field. I was particularly pleased with the play of Laney Avery. In the second half, I had her mark their most aggressive player, and Laney did a great job limiting the player’s shots.

“There’s still a lot of room for improvement, but we played better than the score shows.”

CFCA hosts Lee Christian in girls soccer on Tuesday at 4 p.m.