Category: Lighthouse

Apprentice Sweeps Championship Saturday to Claim First NSAC Baseball Title

WILSON, N.C. – After being shut out by Lighthouse Christian in the opening round, The Apprentice School came back with a vengeance on Saturday to win both games against the Makos and claim its first New South Conference baseball title.

A deeper bullpen proved the difference with both games being decided by the 10-run rule, 19-9 in the first and 15-3 in the second.

Apprentice (39-8) came into the tournament ranked eighth in the final USCAA regular season baseball poll and now awaits to see its opponent in next week’s Small College World Series.

Lighthouse (5-29) stunned the Builders 5-0 on Thursday, holding Apprentice scoreless for the first time this season. The Makos then followed that with an 11-9 win over Virginia State on Friday, only the fifth win for the first-year baseball program from Pensacola, Florida. The Builders advanced to the championship round by downing VSU 11-1 in Friday’s elimination game.

But Lighthouse’s magical run was to end there as the Builders, already touting the best record in school history, pulled away from the Makos in both games on Saturday.

Lighthouse Bolts into Championship Game with Win over VSU

WILSON, N.C. – Lighthouse Christian pushed across eight runs between the fifth and seventh innings to down Virginia State 11-9 and advance to Saturday’s championship at Historic Fleming Stadium.

It was the Makos’ second tournament win and only the fifth win of the season for the first-year program with a lineup of all freshmen.

The Trojans drop into the losers bracket and take on Apprentice in an elimination game at 4:00 pm today.

Lighthouse Shocks Apprentice 5-0 in NSAC Opener

WILSON, N.C. – Eli Lowery pitched 5-hit ball in a complete game as fourth-seed Lighthouse Christian shocked top-seeded Apprentice 5-0 in the opening game of the 2024 NSAC Baseball Tournament on Thursday.

The win advances the Makos (4-27) to Friday’s second round to face the winner of the Mid-Atlantic Christian-Virginia State game.

The loss is the first shutout of the year for the Builders (35-8), who drop into an elimination game at 6:30 tonight against the MACU-VSU loser.

Trojans Win Lighthouse Series, Claim Tourney Third Seed

ETTRICK, Va. – After dropping the series opener on Saturday, Virginia State bounced back to sweep a tripleheader against Lighthouse Christian on Sunday and clinch the third seed in the upcoming NSAC baseball tournament.

The teams were originally scheduled to play doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday, but transportation troubles for the Makos allowed time for just one game Saturday. The teams decided to make up the missed game on Sunday.

Lighthouse pounced on the Trojans for nine runs in the sixth inning to break a 2-2 tie and pull away for a 12-5 win on Saturday.

In Sunday’s opener, it was the Trojans’ turn for an offensive display, exploding for 11 runs in the fifth to force the run rule and win 12-1 in six.

The middle game saw the Makos plating five runs in the first and carrying a 7-5 lead into the bottom of the seventh. VSU pushed three runs across in the home half of the inning to get the walk-off win 8-7. With that win, the Trojans clinched the third seed in the conference tournament beginning Thursday. LCC will be the fourth seed.

In the final regular season game for both teams, the Trojans broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the 7th to take their second walk-off win in a row 4-3.

Thus the brackets are now set for the NSAC Baseball Tournament as top seed Apprentice will face #4 Lighthouse in the opener Thursday at 11:00 am. Mid-Atlantic Christian, the second seed, will take on #3 Virginia State at 3:00 pm.

All games will take place at Historic Fleming Stadium in Wilson, North Carolina.

Image courtesy Chris Waugaman/VSU Athletics

Makos Drop Series to NCF

SARASOTA, Fla. – New College of Florida completed a sweep over a youthful Lighthouse Christian squad Saturday.

Jonathan Smalenski got the start on the mound in game one. After a lead off walk, Smalenski made an excellent field in the play, fielding a line-out before throwing to first to turn an impressive double play.

Landen Morrison recorded the first hit of the day for New College, lacing a single to right field.

Smalenski pitched well in the second, allowing one hit and forcing 2 ground outs and a pop out to retire the Makos.

The Banyan offense was great in the second inning. New College showcased their plate discipline, walking the bases loaded with only one out. Adrian Quinones got the scoring started, singling to right field to score the first run of the day. Brennan Peterson drove in the next run, getting hit by a pitch to put New College up 2. Another walk from John McIntosh put the Banyans up 3. The Banyans added another run to end the inning, going up 4-0 through two innings.

The Makos got on the scoreboard in the fifth, bringing the Banyan lead to 3.

The Banyans maintained their lead, capturing a 4-1 win in game one.

Lighthouse Christian jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning of game number two.

The Banyan bats exploded in the bottom of the second. Three straight hits loaded the bases for Jeremy Miller Jr. The Banyans converted, scoring two runs to take a 2-1 lead.

The Mako offense got them back in the game, scoring 3 runs to take a 4-2 lead in the fourth inning.

The Banyans got one run back on an error in the bottom of the fourth, making it a 4-3 ball game.

The Banyans retook the lead in the fifth. Doubles from Rylan Jomisko, Matt Merk, and Aiden Apparicio scored two runs to help the Banyans take a 5-4 lead. Jesus Fortis singled to left field to add on another run.

The Banyan offense took off in the sixth, scoring 5 runs to take a 9-4 lead.

Story and image courtesy NCF Athletics

Builders Take Weekend Series from Makos

HAMPTON, Va. – The Apprentice School baseball team improved to 32-7 on the season with a four-game sweep of Lighthouse Christian this weekend at War Memorial Stadium. With the four wins, the Builders improved to 10-2 in New South Athletic Conference action this season.

On Saturday, the Builders jumped on the Makos early and often, winning 22-2 and 11-1 in five and six innings, respectively. The Builders continued the onslaught on Sunday with an 11-1 six inning win before holding on for a 9-6 win in the series finale.

Nolan Edwards went 9-for-14 on the weekend with three homers and nine runs scored. He also brought in eight RBI on the weekend as well. Camden Weston went 6-for-10, and Jeremy Harmon hit two homers Sunday, the first of which ended game one of the twin bill by the run rule.

Story and image courtesy Apprentice Athletics

Lighthouse Slips Past MACU for First NSAC win 8-7

PALM BEACH, Fla. – Lighthouse Christian, in its inaugural year of baseball, picked up its first win over a varsity opponent and its first New South Conference win in downing Mid-Atlantic Christian 8-7 Thursday afternoon.

The Makos’ Ethan Thomas got the win in relief.

MACU unleashed the runs in the first game of the doubleheader 17-4. Both games were part of the Palm Beach Challenge.