MANSFIELD — Faith Academy traveled to Mansfield to participate in the TAIAO Baseball State Cham- pionship Wednesday, April 19 and Thursday, April 20. The Knights played two games on Wednesday and two games on Thursday. The games on Wednesday seeded them for the tournament on Thursday. Faith Academy Varsity Knights lost the lead late in an 8-4 defeat to Texas Wind on Wednesday. The Knights got things moving in the first inning. Matthew McGowan tripled on a 1-2 count, scoring one run. After Faith Academy scored one run in the top of the third, Texas Wind answered with one of their own. The Knights scored when Mc - Gowan was hit by a pitch, driving in a run. Christian Pillow was on the pitcher's mound for the Knights. The righthander lasted one inning, allowing two hits and two runs while striking out two and walking one.
Josh Stark and Blaze Byler entered the game from the bullpen, throwing two innings and one inning respectively.
Faith Academy hit one home run on the day. Cash Eckermann had a long ball in the first inning. Travis Woodley, Eckermann, and Mc - Gowan all had one hit to lead the Knights.
Travis Woodley had a big game against the PT Warriors on Wednes - day afternoon. The offense for the Knights was on fire as they defeated the Warriors 16-5. FA started out by scoring three runs in the first inning and never looked back. Travis Woodley hit a three run home run in the second inning. That sparked an eight run second inning. Woodley had 6 RBI's in the game. McGowan and Woodley both had doubles in the game to help surge the team to the victory. Cash Eckermann was brilliant on the hill on Thursday, as Eckermann threw a no-hitter to lead the Knights past FEAST 3-0. The pitching was strong on both sides. Eckermann struck out eight, while FEAST pitch - ers sat down eight. Eckermann was credited with the victory for the Knights. The pitcher allowed zero hits and zero runs over five innings, striking out eight. Christian Pillow led FA with two hits in three at bats. He drove in the first two runs of the game with his first single. Faith Academy's bats were strong against BVCHEA Mustangs on Thursday, but it wasn't enough as Faith Academy fell 17-7. The Knights struggled to put runs on the board and had a tough time defensively containing BVCHEA Mustangs, giving up 17 runs. McGowan was on the mound for Faith Academy. The righty surrendered six runs on two hits over one inning, strik - ing out one. Pillow and Woodley entered the game from the bullpen, throwing three and a third innings and two-thirds of an inning respectively. Faith Academy totaled eight hits. Carter Findeisen, McGowan, and Woodley each collected multiple hits for the Knights. Woodley, Mc -Gowan and Findeisen each managed two hits to lead Faith Academy. The Knights ended up Runner Up in State Championships. It has been a good season for Faith Academy Baseball. They ended their season with an 11-7 record. The team consisted of five freshmen, four sophomores, one junior, and one senior. "The future is bright for this young team," said Coach Woodley. "Our inexperience caught up to us in the state game. We dug ourselves into a hole and crawled out of it once, but the second time, we could not overcome. The boys played well all year, grew tremendously, and I am very proud of each one of them. I am looking forward to next year," added Coach Woodley.
