Liberty Christian Academy Wins D1 Title

Liberty Christian Academy sent 10 batters to the plate and scored five runs in the first inning to defeat St Anne's-Belfield 10-3 to win their 1st State baseball championship. The Bulldogs, who  entered the VISAA D1 playoffs as the #1 seed, finished with 12 hits including three each by Josh Barrick and Josh Campo.

Things started rough for St Anne's-Belfield starter Bobby Nicholson who hit two batters and gave up four straight singles before he getting his first out. Campo singled down the 1st base line for an RBI and Zach Hess also drove in a run with a single. The number nine hitter Jeremiah Kirkland singled in a run to make the score 5-0.  

The Saints were able to temporarily slow the onslaught with double plays to end the first and second innings but Liberty Christian struck again with three runs in the third to break the game open. Nicholson walked three batters then gave up a 2-run double to Campos that extended the Bulldogs lead to 8-2.

Senior Zach Clinton gave up three runs in six innings while striking out six to earn the win. He threw 95 pitches before giving way to Kirkland who pitched the final inning. Kirkland added two hits and two RBI at the plate. Hunter Johnson reached base three times with two hits and a walk while Campo drove in three runs with his three hits.