Hickory Grove Christian Acad  8 High Point Christian Acad  1

NCISAA 3A State Championship Series | Game 1

PBR was on hand for game 1 of the NCISAA 3A State Championship Series.  Hosted at High Point Christian Academy, the host school came in as the No. 1 overall seed and squared off with Hickory Grove Christian Academy.

High Point Christian jumped out to a quick lead when leadoff man Yates Sikes got on via an infield single, coming around to score on a 2 out single from Dylan Story.  This would be all the offense the Cougars would stir up in Game 1 as Hickory Grove Christian starter, Connor Barozzino, worked a complete game, striking out 7 and only allowing 8 hits.

The Lions offense would begin to crank up in the 2nd inning, quickly tying the game on a leadoff homer from Colby Vanhook.  In the 3rd a leadoff double from Carson Cabbage would result in an early lead for Hickory Grove as Cabbage would score on a SAC Fly from Trig Browning.

High Point Christian starter,Tony Lopez showed some grit and competitiveness throughout his 5 innings of work.  He battled command, walking 7 and hitting 2, but Lopez made some big pitches, striking out 8, to keep his Cougars in the game.

Trig Browning would leadoff the 5th inning for Hickory Grove Christian with another solo homerun, pushing the lead to 3-1.  After a pitching change, the Lions Kam Miller hit a leadoff homer in the 6th, putting Hickory Grove up 3 with 6 outs left to get.  In the 7th, the Lions would plate 4 unearned runs to run the lead up to 8-1.

In taking game 1, Hickory Grove would only need to split the scheduled double-header on Saturday to capture the state title.  After getting beat by 10 in game 2 of the series, the Lions would score late in game 3 and become the NCISAA 3A State Champions.  You can see the breakdown and notes from games 2 and 3 HERE in Inside the Box.

Hickory Grove Christian Academy Stats
+ Kam Miller - 1-1, HR, 2R, 1RBI
+ Carson Cabbage - 1-4, 2B, 1R

+ Trig Browning - 2-3, HR, 1R, 4RBI

+ Colby VanHook - 2-5, HR, 1R, 1RBI
+ Conner Barozzino - CG Win, 7IP, 8H, 1R, 1ER, 2BB, 7K

High Point Christian Academy Stats
+ Yates Sikes - 1-4, 1R
+ E Goodwin - 2-3

+ Dylan Story - 1-4, 1R
+ Tony Lopez - Loss, 5IP, 4H, 3R, 3ER, 7BB, 8K
+ H Kelley - 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 2K

+ B Powell - 1IP, 1H, 4R, 0ER, 2BB, 3K

SCOUT BLOG

Conner Barozzino, RHP, Hickory Grove Christian, 2024
East Carolina commit. Thin frame.  Athletic arm.  Level and slightly closed through balance, working to a slightly closed landing with a square foot-strike.  Medium to long arm action works to a high-3/4 slot.  Quick arm.  Athletic delivery and release.  Good direction.  Showed command of the fastball, hitting both sides and elevating late in counts.  Fastball ranged