Alex Guilford laces a single to left field to score a run in ACA’s win over LAMP on Friday. (Staff Photo)

Staff Report
(March 6, 2010)

Alex Guilford was happy to be on the mound Friday in Alabama Christian Academy’s 6-3 victory over LAMP in the FCA Jason Armstrong Memorial Baseball Classic at the AUM Dixie Field.

He was joyful for several reasons but the mainly due to the fact that he was still able to pitch, hit, even walk.

Guilford suffered a concussion a little more than a week ago when he was hit by a throw at point-blank range by the Wetumpka catcher. Guilford was standing in the left-hander’s batter’s box and was struck just underneath the batting helmet on an errant throw intended for second base.

“I was out about five seconds and when I woke up, Coach (Don) Gilliam was standing over me telling me to stay calm and don’t try to get up,” Guilford said. “It was scary.”

Guilford played for the first time on Thursday in ACA’s win over Montgomery Academy and he took the mound Friday for the first time and looked like his old self.

“It was great to have him get on the mound and pitch and to pitch well was really a bonus,” Gilliam said. “To do that after suffering a concussion and coming back so strong is impressive.”

Guilford pitched a complete game and gave up just five hits. Only one of the three runs scored by the Tigers was earned. He also added a run-scoring single in the second inning that gave the Eagles a 2-1 lead at the time.

“I felt good,” Guilford said. “The only time I felt something was when I looked up to catch a pop up, I got dizzy. That scared me a little but I got over it pretty quick.”

The win was the third in as many tries for ACA over LAMP, two teams expected to contend for their respective state championships.

“They really compete and make you work,” Gilliam said of the Tigers. “I think Rocky (Smith) would agree that’s where you improve as a team. We like playing teams like LAMP because they are so good and do so many things well. It makes our team better.”

Dillon Patterson had two hits while Cody Bell had a two-run double. Jordan Creel, Chase Davis each had an RBI for ACA (6-5).

Lucas Tribble had a single that scored two runs for LAMP (6-5).

Brew Tech beats Montgomery Academy

Hunter Brooks (4-0) pitched a complete game giving up three hits and striking out 10 in Brewbaker Tech’s 9-2 win over Montgomery Academy at Riverwalk Stadium on Friday. 

Nick Wicher was 4-5 with 3 RBI’s for Brew Tech (7-1).  Ben Taylor and Paul Harris also had two hits each for the Rams. 

Brew Tech plays LAMP at 2 p.m. and Marbury at 4 p.m. Saturday at Paterson Field to close out the FCA Tournament.