BASEBALL: Trinity tackles early hitting slump to get second win vs. Treutlen

Fresh off a 19-win season and a trip to the GIAA Final Four, the Trinity Crusaders enter the 2026 season with high expectations. 

After last season, head coach Josh Ward knew he would need to replace his entire starting outfield – Carson Shepherd, Ben Helton and Cruz Giles – first baseman Nathan Sumner, and super utility man Caesar Rodriguez on offense, and find a way to cover the innings on the mound logged by Helton, Rodriguez, Sumner and Cooper Dasher.

The Crusaders still looked to have plenty of firepower returning, but took a couple of major hits to the roster since Christmas. Sophomore Tripp Mascaro, who led the team in extra-base hits last year, transferred to West Laurens right after the new year. The bigger issue may come from the injured right arm of Carter Lee, last year’s innings leader. Lee has reported UCL discomfort and it is unknown when or if he will be able to pitch this season.

Despite the question marks, Trinity returns three all-state performers in Lee, catcher Braden Underwood, and shortstop Asher Evans. Infielders Kolbi Grooms and Jakob Sahli also return as starters and will both be called upon for major innings on the mound.  Grooms is a two-time all-region pitcher who led the team in wins each of the last two years. Sophomore Andrew Helton looks for a bigger role this season as the primary third baseman.

Transfer Tayt Evans is a huge addition and will man center field. Blake Sims, Alston Bryan, Garrett Collier and Jasper Dean are all in the mix for at-bats in the corner outfield spots.

After putting up 11 runs in a scrimmage victory over Thomas Jefferson, the offense struggled last week in a 3-2 win over David Emanuel and then a 7-0 loss to Citizens Christian this past Tuesday. Trinity was finally able to get the bats going Thursday in an 8-4 win over Treutlen. 

The opener against DEA was a pitchers duel between Grooms and the Eagles’ ace Richard Braddy.

DEA got on the board in the bottom of the third on a solo homer by Karsen Kettles. The Eagles added another run in the frame on a fielder’s choice to lead 2-0.

That score would hold until the seventh. Lee led off the inning with a walk and Tayt Evans would follow with a single, the Crusaders’ first of the contest. Grooms came up next with another single to plate Lee with the Crusaders’ first run.  

Trinity was able to knot the score at 2-2 on an error. Sims then gave the Crusaders the lead with a sac fly, and they would hold on for the 3-2 win.

Grooms scattered three hits and one earned run in his 3.1 innings. He walked two and struck out three. Asher Evans got the win on the mound with 3.2 perfect innings with nine Ks. 

Against CCA, the offensive struggles continued, but that will be a recurring theme against the defining class A champs, who boast two starting pitchers who regularly throw over 90 mph.

The Crusaders didn’t face Clemson commit Blake Bryant, but Thomas Gentry did his best Bryant impression in shutting Trinity down.

After he struck out the side in the top of the first, the Patriots plated two runs in the home half for the early lead. They went up 3-0 in the second before Gentry helped his own cause with a two-run double to make the score 5-0.

CCA added single runs in the fourth and fifth to go up 7-0. Trinity got its first two hits in the seventh inning again, one from Lee and one from Tayt Evans, but could not push any runs across.

Grooms took the loss as he allowed three hits and four earned runs in his two innings of work. He walked one and struck out two. Helton pitched the final four innings, allowing two hits and two runs.  He walked one and struck out three.

Gentry went five hitless innings and struck out 12 Crusaders.

Thursday’s game against Treutlen didn’t start out great as the Vikings got RBI hits from Gavin Bailey and Brylan Ikner to take a 2-0 lead in the top of the first.

This time, the Crusaders decided not to wait until the seventh inning to get hits as Asher Evans singled with one out in the home half of the first. He would steal second and eventually score on a two-out single from Lee to make it 2-1.

Trinity took the lead for good in the second as Grooms reached on an error and Helton followed with a single to advance Grooms to third. Helton then took second on another steal to put two runners in scoring position.

The next batter would strike out but the ball got away from the catcher, forcing him to throw down to first.  The out was recorded, but Grooms scampered home to make the score 2-2. Helton would then score on a balk to make the score 3-2.

Trinity added to its lead with two outs. Sahli walked and stole second. Evans singled again.  Underwood came through with an RBI double. Lee then delivered his second run-scoring hit in two innings to make it 6-2.

Helton scored a run in the third on a wild pitch to push the Crusader advantage to 7-2, and Trinity got another run in the sixth as Sahli reached again, this time on an HBP. He scored on an error to make it 8-2.

The Vikings scored a pair in the seventh, but Alston Bryan got out the jam with a game-ending strikeout.

Asher Evans led the offense with a 3-for-4 day. Lee added a pair of hits, while Underwood, Grooms and Helton also hit safely.

Sahli overcame some first inning struggles to record the win.  He went five innings, allowing four hits and two runs. He walked five and stuck out eight. Bryan picked up the save. He struck out the side in the sixth and finished with four in two innings.