Knights burn up diamond this summer

How much did the Bethlehem Christian Academy baseball team impress its coach this summer?

Consider the fact that Knights coach Nick Pou recently said he wished his team was just now entering the playoffs.

“That’s the kind of baseball we have been playing,” the coach said. “We want to keep what we have been doing this summer into next year.”

Perhaps most impressive to Pou is the fact his team has performed so well against quality competition during June.

Competing against programs in the Georgia High School Association, BCA did not lose a varsity contest this summer. It capped the schedule with a 5-0 win against Wesleyan last week. Jared Martin fired a no-hitter with 16 strikeouts in seven innings.

Ramon Rivera homered to help lead the offense.

The summer schedule began on a positive note when the Knights run-ruled both Baldwin High School and Central Macon. The games were played at Georgia College and State University, as the Milledgeville school is recruiting several BCA players.

The Knights then traveled to Auburn University and continued its torrid pace.

“We were clicking in every phase,” Pou said. “We had a double steal and suicide squeeze in one inning of one game. The Auburn coach told us he didn’t see many teams doing the little things anymore to win games.”

BCA defeated Cross Creek High School, a team which advancerd to the Sweet 16 in AAA, 4-3, while at Auburn. Cross Creek also won its region title this spring.

“We still have yet to lose to a GHSA varsity team in two years,” Pou said. “It shows that good baseball in Georgia is good baseball. The GISA has some good teams and good players. People are starting to notice what we have with our baseball program. We have a strong team coming back next spring and are already looking forward to the season.”

BCA advanced to the GISA Class A state semifinals this spring before falling to Crisp Academy. The Knights were undefeated in Region 1-A play.