Fort Worth Christian
Fort Worth Christian started off their playoffs white hot as they outscore Regents 23-1 in a doubleheader on Monday to advance to the Regional Round.
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS — The Fort Worth Christian offense ignited Monday afternoon as the Cardinals swept a first-round doubleheader against Regents to open the TAPPS II playoffs in dominant fashion.
The Cardinals used a pair of mercy-rule victories — including an 11-1 win in the opener — to advance to the regional round.
In Game 1, ace Greg Smeds took the mound and set the tone for Fort Worth Christian. The offense provided steady support, scoring one run in each of the first four innings before exploding for seven runs over the final two frames to trigger the mercy rule after six innings.
The momentum carried into the nightcap. The Cardinals’ bats remained “white hot,” plating 10 runs in the first three innings. They added two more in the fifth to invoke the mercy rule and end the contest early.
Statistically, the afternoon was an exhibition of offensive efficiency. The Cardinals slashed .404/.565/.745 as a team, with every batter in the lineup recording an on-base percentage of at least .429.
Jake Parkerson anchored the lineup, finishing the day 4-for-7 with two home runs and seven RBIs. Teammate Hank Austin added to the power display in Game 1, launching his first solo home run of the season.
The dominance extended to the mound, where Smeds and Cale Brateris provided exactly what the Cardinals needed: efficiency and longevity. The duo combined for 11 innings, allowing just one run on two hits and six walks. By going the distance in both games, the starters preserved the entire bullpen for the next round.
Both pitchers maintained sub-2.00 ERAs following the wins; Smeds sits at 1.13, while Brateris improved to 1.70. The pair combined for eight strikeouts, relying on a stout defense to handle the few balls put in play.
Fort Worth Christian now shifts its focus to the regional round as it awaits the winner of Tuesday’s matchup between Brook Hill and Southwest Christian. Regardless of the opponent, the Cardinals appear poised for a deep run, having saved their pitching staff while showcasing a high-octane offense that shows no signs of slowing down.
Photo via Tyler Rix FWC Baseball