Cape Fear Christian wrapped up the SEMSAC regular-season championship with a 5-4 walk-off win over O’Neal on Wednesday. (Dunn Area Sports Photo/Al Myatt)
Cape Fear Christian Academy’s middle school baseball team wrapped up the regular season title in the Southeastern Athletic Conference with a 7-0 record by beating O’Neal School of Southern Pines, 5-4, on Wednesday.
The Eagles scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth to win on a walk-off RBI single by winning pitcher Cason Pope.
CFCA recognized eighth-graders in middle school baseball and girls soccer following games with O’Neal on Wednesday.
O’Neal took a 2-0 lead in baseball on a 2-run double by Taylor Grives in the top of the first. The hosts got one run back in the bottom of the frame as Pope walked, stole second and came home on a pair of passed balls.
O’Neal added two runs in the second.
Eli Burns was hit by a pitch to start the bottom of the sixth. He stole second and scored on a liner to left-center by Conner Parrish. Rhett Alphin took one for the team before a sacrifice bunt by Tyson Stephens. Mason Gregory hit a ground ball that O’Neal couldn’t handle which allowed Parrish to score. Palmer Ennis singled to left to bring in the tying run.
Fisher Stancil’s single loaded the bases with two down.
Pope singled on the next pitch to move CFCA to 7-0 in league play.
Pope went four and one-third innings in relief on the mound, allowing three hits and no runs while striking out eight.
Stephens finished 2-for-4 with a bunt for a hit. The Eagles (8-1) were errorless.
“I’m very proud of this team for grinding it out (Wednesday) and finding a way to comeback and win,” said CFCA coach Bill Parrish. “We set three goals for us this season and we have achieved two out of the three goals. The first goal was to win regular season, the second goal was to be undefeated in conference play.
“Our third and final goal lies ahead as we push to win the conference tournament next week as the No. 1 seed.”
CFCA was scheduled to host Sandhills Classical on Monday at 4 p.m. in the conference tournament semifinals but Sandhills has submitted a forfeit to the league. The Eagles will host the Freedom-O’Neal winner later in the week for the tournament championship.
The Eagles honored eighth-graders Alphin, Burns, Alan Hinson (injured), Thomas Honeycutt, Landon McLamb, Parrish and Pope after the game Wednesday.
Middle School Girls Soccer
CFCA hosted O’Neal on Wednesday in girls soccer and was topped, 5-0, by the league’s regular-season champions.
The Eagles had a 5-3 record.
Eighth-graders Savannah Autry, Courtney Butts, Cara Morris, Abby Taylor, Grace Viox and Allie Wiggins were recognized.
CFCA eighth-graders and coaches are pictured above. From left are assistant coach Bradley Stancil, assistant Tommy Burns, Eli Burns, Conner Parrish, Alan Hinson, Cason Pope, Thomas Honeycutt, Rhett Alphin, Landon McLamb, assistant Andrew Parrish and coach Bill Parrish. (Photo/Al Myatt)
Cason Pope delivers a pitch for Cape Fear Christian.
(Photo/AL Myatt)
CFCA eighth-graders in girls soccer are pictured above with Coach Mary Beth Young. From left, are Cara Morris, Abhy Taylor, Grace Viox, Allie Wiggins, Coach Young, Savannah Autry and Courtney Butts. (Photo/Al Myatt)
Savannah Autry takes a goal kick for the Eagles against O’Neal.
(Photo/Al Myatt)
Charlotte Aldredge looks to move the ball into scoring position for the Eagles.
(Photo/Al Myatt)
