Varsity Baseball & Softball Looking to Make Deep Playoff Runs
Portsmouth Christian Academy’s baseball team has emerged from a disappointing 2-14 record last season to become a force to be reckoned with in Division IV of the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association (NHIAA) this year.
Despite losing only 2 seniors last season, the Eagles have rallied in the 2023 campaign to find themselves sitting in the top 10 of Division IV. This, in part, thanks to solid pitching from Fr., Cai Summers and Soph., Kian Littlefield. Littlefield is leading the Eagles’ rotation with a 1.67 ERA and 39K’s in 29 innings of work. Summers has been equally effective from the bump, striking out 38 with a 2.73 ERA in 23 innings pitched. Closing things out on the mound has been Sr., Jack Hatfield, whose 1.8 ERA has helped the Eagles keep their opponents at bay in the later innings.
Summers, Littlefield and Hatfield have delivered just as strongly in the batter’s box. Summers leads the team with a .550 batting average, followed by Littlefield’s .470 and Hatfield’s .368. But it’s not just the guys on the mound doing all the work. Jr., Jason Ludwig has a solid .475 on-base percentage with 7 runs batted in. His classmate, Landon Hasty, has a .242 average but has brought 10 across the plate.
“We have a great set of coaches, and I believe the team’s mentality has largely impacted our success.”, said Hatfield.
“I think the main reason this year has been so successful has to do with the addition of some extremely valuable freshman. Cai Summers has been super helpful in rounding out the pitching rotation, as well as providing depth for the infield. Other freshmen, like Brayden Leland and Andrew Earwood, have helped out a ton in the outfield. We understand the skills that we have and our ability to contend with other top teams in our division, and that confidence has led to our success on the field.”
Meanwhile, for the ladies on the other side of the field, Varsity Softball looks to be putting together another season worthy of a state championship bid. Despite graduating All-State shortstop and pitcher, Kate Shawney, the Lady Eagles have found their way on and around the bases this season through valuable contributions up and down the lineup.
Jr., Khloe Mackenzie leads the team with 18 RBI and a .474 average in the box. Behind her, Sr., Liahna Messier is putting together yet another All-State caliber season, batting .385 and bringing home 10 while striking out 51 from the mound in only 37 innings of work.
However, similar to last season, it’s the additional help the Lady Eagles are getting from the youngest among them that has them sitting in 2nd Place in Division IV this year. 8th Graders, Elizabeth Pelletier and Eliza Arwood are providing much-needed contact in the box, each with .379 averages. Another 8th Grader, Lexi Jordan, is helping to keep the Lady Eagles at the top of Division IV with a .405 on-base percentage and 7 RBI.
Senior Nights for both teams are scheduled for next week, with the girls hosting Wilton Lyndeborough at 4:30pm on Tuesday, then the boys hosting Nute on Wednesday night at 4:30pm.
