Friday’s doubleheader loss at Bondurant-Farrar did little to dampen Konrad Christensen’s enthusiasm.
The Ankeny Christian Academy baseball coach is still very high on the postseason prospects for the Eagles, whose overall record is now 17-4.
“If we can peak at the right time, this can be the best ACA team ever in my opinion,” said Christensen, whose team is averaging more than 11 runs per game.
ACA improved to 8-1 in the Bluegrass Conference with a 20-2 victory over visiting Melcher-Dallas in four innings on Thursday at North Polk Middle School. The Eagles erupted for 20 runs in the third inning to erase a 2-0 deficit.
Tyson Fincham went 3-for-3 with a double and four RBIs in the win. Andrew Mora, Tyler Davis, Lucas Herbel, Samuel Shelton and Lucas Erickson each drove in a pair of runs.
Then, on Friday, the Eagles traveled to Bondurant-Farrar to face the Bluejays (14-7), who used a five-run inning in both games to sweep the twinbill. They posted a 12-2 win in six innings in the first game, then followed with a 10-0 triumph in five innings.
“Bondurant was definitely a step up (in competition) and a good team,” Christensen said. “My top three pitchers are going to pitch in a doubleheader (Saturday against Collins-Maxwell), so I knew it was going to be tough. However, the guys who started have shown the stuff to get good hitters out; they just couldn’t find it Friday.
“I also know that we can hit much better, and I know we’ll show that (Saturday) and in the playoffs,” he added.
Landon Curtis went 2-for-3 and knocked in a run in the opener. He also had one of the Eagles’ three hits in the nightcap.
Curtis is one of several returning starters from last year’s team that advanced to a Class 1A substate final. He is batting .392 with one home run and 17 RBIs while compiling a 4-0 record on the mound with a 0.58 ERA.
Mora is batting .365 with 21 RBIs, while Erickson is batting .340 with one homer and 27 RBIs. Erickson also boasts a 4-1 mark with a 1.59 ERA and has racked up 34 strikeouts in 22 innings.
“We have great seniors led by Erickson, Curtis and Mora,” Christensen said. “I knew what these guys were capable of with their playoff run last year. They worked so hard all winter and spring, but their resiliency and heart has continued to impress me all season.”
Fincham and Herbel are two other seniors who have played key roles. Fincham is batting .542 with four doubles and 16 RBIs, while Herbel is batting .340 with three doubles and 11 RBIs.
Sophomores Brody Butler and Davis have been two of the team’s top hitters. Davis is batting .508 with two triples, 11 doubles and 32 RBIs, while Butler is batting .364 with two homers and 22 RBIs.
Davis also boasts a 5-0 record with a 2.19 ERA.
“Davis and Butler have been incredible,” Christensen said.
Conner Crosby, a junior, is another regular batting above .300. He is hitting .388 with three doubles and 18 RBIs.
“Conner has been killing the ball and playing a great third base,” Christensen said.
The Eagles got off to a 9-0 start that saw them outscore their opponents by a 130-19 margin. They didn’t suffer their first loss until dropping a 4-2 decision to Grand View Christian in the second game of a doubleheader on June 3 at Hoover.
ACA’s only other loss prior to Friday came at Moravia, 3-2, on Wednesday. That game was resumed in the fourth inning after being suspended due to rain on June 4.
“I think we have avenged seven regular season losses from last year. We got run ruled by teams like Lynnville-Sully, Interstate 35 and Southeast Warren last season,” Christensen said. “And I think we have three walk-off wins. The guys just believe and find a way to win.”
