HAMPTON, Va. — There is a famous idiom that says, “There is a first time for everything.” For the Mid-Atlantic Christian baseball program, there have been a lot of firsts since the program started in 2020. However, one opponent had always alluded the Mustangs and that was conference rival Apprentice. Over the past three campaigns, the Builders had the Mustangs number, winning all six contests, but that changed on Tuesday afternoon as MACU defeated the reigning USCAA national champions 3-2 at War Memorial Stadium.

The Builders (21-6 overall, 0-1 NSAC) were the first to score, plating a run off a Camden Weston RBI double. MACU (13-18, 1-0) found it’s time to strike in the top of the fifth inning. Back-to-back walks from Apprentice pitching led to Jack Valachovic sacrificing the runners to second and third base with one out on the board. Josiah Collado grounded out to third base but during the play, scored Travis Snell from third. Anthony Torres stepped up to the plate and knocked in the second run of the inning as he sent a single to center field that brought in Elijah Ollman to push the Mustangs ahead 2-1.

Apprentice got back on the board in the seventh as Justin Bradshaw legged it out to first to avoid a double play and plate the tying run, but the Mustangs dug deep and scratched across a run in the top of the eighth as Giovanny Mendez sent a hard RBI single to right field to register the winning run for MACU.

The Builders had chances in the eighth and ninth with runners on second and third in both frames, but MACU answered the call and worked out of each inning unscathed to earn the win.

Story courtesy gomacumustangs.com and gobuilders.com. Image courtesy MACU Athletics

HAMPTON, Va. – Defending Small College World Series Champion Apprentice will open conference play this afternoon as it hosts Mid-Atlantic Christian and features two of the top pitchers in the USCAA.

The homestanding Builders (21-5 overall, 0-0 NSAC) will start true freshman Nick Redman, who through 29 innings is 5-0 with an ERA of 0.63, averaging 12.87 strikeouts a game. Additionally, he has allowed only six walks and two earned runs in his appearances so far this season.

The Mustangs (12-16, 0-0) will counter with junior Caleb Whitley, whose 48 strikeouts is second only to Redman’s 50.

The Builders reach the halfway point of the season as the hottest team in the New South with a sparkling 21-5 record, including a 4-game sweep of St. Vincent over the weekend.

The Mustangs are glad to leave Florida where they struggled at 1-5.

First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 pm at War Memorial Stadium in Hampton, Virginia.