Patriots Rally to Defeat Trojans 10-3 in Thrilling Friday Night Clash
Patriots Rally to Defeat Trojans 10-3 in Thrilling Friday Night Clash
KINSTON, N.C. – The Arendell Parrott Academy Patriots hosted the Bethel Christian Academy Trojans on Friday night for a thrilling baseball game under the lights on the Patriots' home field. It turned out to be one of the most exciting contests of the season, as Parrott Academy emerged victorious with a 10-3 win following a series of dramatic plays, clutch hits, and pressure-packed moments.
The Patriots sent senior pitcher Cade Mixon, an NC Wesleyan commit, to the mound to start the game. Mixon, who has been a dominant force this season, pitched 6.1 innings, allowing just three hits and three earned runs. He walked four batters and racked up 10 strikeouts to earn the win. For Bethel Christian, Cooper Williams took the hill for the Trojans and delivered a solid five innings, surrendering three hits and four runs (two earned), with two walks and eight strikeouts, but was tagged with the loss.
Early Trojan Surge
The game opened with early drama as the Trojans jumped out to an unexpected lead in the top of the first. After Mixon issued a walk to the leadoff batter, he quickly retired the next two hitters. However, with two outs, Bethel Christian rallied. Braden Cash singled to right field, driving in the first run of the game. Will Wiggins was then hit by a pitch, and Jonathan White followed with a single that brought Cash across the plate. Wiggins would later score after White was caught in a rundown, giving Bethel Christian a 3-0 advantage to start the game.
Patriots Strike Back
The Patriots responded in the bottom of the third inning. A.B. Daughety led off with a single, and Logan Collins advanced him to second with a well-executed sacrifice bunt. Jojo Ferebee then stepped to the plate and ripped a double off the left-field fence, scoring Daughety and cutting the deficit to 3-1. While Williams bounced back with back-to-back strikeouts to end the frame, the Patriots had shown they were ready to battle.
Parrott Academy Rallies in the Fourth
The game remained quiet until the bottom of the fourth, when the Patriots tied the score with a combination of heads-up baserunning and Trojan miscues. Cole Watson reached second base on a dropped fly ball and advanced to third on a wild pitch. He would then score on another wild pitch to make it 3-2. Mixon reached base on an error before stealing both second and third. Those stolen bases proved crucial, as he later crossed the plate on yet another wild pitch, tying the game at 3-3.
The Big Sixth Inning: Like a 911 Call, the Patriots Answer with a Seven-Run Surge
The game remained tied until the bottom of the sixth inning, when Parrott Academy blew it open. Cooper Williams issued a walk to start the frame and was relieved by Jamey Williams. Unfortunately for the Trojans, Jamey struggled to find his rhythm, issuing another walk and giving up a bunt single to load the bases.
After a failed bunt attempt, Logan Collins delivered the pivotal play of the night. He laid down a perfectly placed bunt and reached base on a Trojan error, allowing two Patriots to score and giving Parrott their first lead at 5-3.
The inning snowballed from there, as Parrott tacked on five more runs thanks to timely hitting and more defensive miscues by Bethel Christian. By the time the dust settled, the Patriots had exploded for a seven-run frame and seized full control with a 10-3 lead.
Patriots Close It Out
With the game firmly in hand, Cade Mixon’s night was done. Tanner Outlaw took the mound in the seventh and slammed the door shut, striking out two batters to secure the 10-3 victory. The win improved the Patriots to 8-1 on the season.
Postgame Quotes
Parrott head coach Robert Kravitz praised his team’s toughness and composure.
“I saw a lot of grit. Our guys don’t quit,” Kravitz said. “I’ve seen it on the football field, on the basketball court, and now I get to witness it on the baseball field. They work too hard in the classroom, the weight room, and on the field. This is who Parrott Academy is. We didn’t give up.”
On Cade Mixon’s performance, Kravitz added, “We have nothing but the most confidence in the world with Cade on the mound, and once he settled in, he was untouchable.”
Mixon echoed the importance of perseverance.
“Baseball is a game of failure, and it’s all about how you bounce back,” Mixon said. “As a team, we strung together and put runs on the board. It took a while, but we knew we had work to do and got that work done.”
Bethel Christian head coach Kenny Sutton credited his team’s early effort but acknowledged the need to grow through adversity.
“I thought our first three to four innings were good. Cooper did an excellent job on the mound, but we can do better,” Sutton said. “Everybody’s got to pick up and do a job. There are going to be mistakes in a baseball game—we all make them. But you can’t get down on yourself. The guys will learn from this. We’ll get better for the end of the season, and that’s where it counts.”
Looking Ahead
The win moves Parrott Academy to 8-1 on the season. The Patriots will travel to Fayetteville Christian on Monday before returning home to host Lawrence Academy next Friday.
Bethel Christian drops to 2-3 and will look to bounce back when they host Living Water Christian on Monday, followed by a trip to Southside Christian on Friday.
It was an exciting Friday night of high school baseball, and both teams showcased their talent, grit, and determination—making for a matchup that will be remembered for weeks to come.
