The Athens Academy baseball team was in a good position as they started playing in the area earlier this week.

The Spartans entered this week’s slate of games with a 9-3 record. After losing back-to-back games last week, they cruised to a 10-6 victory over Westminster Christian Academy to give themselves a jolt ahead of their games this week against rival and area foe Prince Avenue Christian School.

So far in 2022, the Athens Academy side have used a well-balanced attack to keep their opponents off guard.

The offense made 79 points in its first 12 games, averaging almost seven points per game, while allowing just 42 points.

Athens Academy started 1-1, earning an 8-2 win over Clarke Central before dropping a 7-0 decision to Oglethorpe County.

The team has won seven straight wins since then.

The Spartans beat Westminster Christian 4-3 then beat Clarke Central 8-7. They outplayed Alcovy (6-3), Putnam County (11-4), Oglethorpe County (10-0), Alcovy (10-0) and Jenkins (12-2) to complete the winning streak .

They fell to Savannah Country Day School 5-0 on March 12, then suffered a 3-0 loss to Hebron Christian on March 17.

Several different Spartans have had great moments throughout the season so far.

Henry Smith, one of the team’s pitchers, threw a hit in Game 2 against Oglethorpe County. Smith struck out five batters and walked just one on that outing. He also went 2 for 3 with an RBI in that game.

Sam Johnson went 3 for 4 against the Patriots while Jackson Hutton went 2 for 3 with two RBIs and Asa Drudge went 1 for 2 with a double.

In their next game, the Spartans got another hit on the mound.

Hutton started the match against Alcovy on March 3 and took the win in four sets. He allowed just one hit and struck out five of Alcovy’s batters.

Pratt Ferguson pitched the fifth inning of that game. Ferguson threw a perfect frame and struck out two batters. He missed a clean inning by a pitch.

Sam Bush went 2 for 3 with two RBIs in that game. Will Warner drew two steps while Thomas Ferland and Steven Holder walked once each. Parker McCleary finished 1 for 2 with a marked walk and run.

During the game against Jenkins, Holder went 4-on-4 with three RBIs, two runs scored, and a steal. Hutton, Ferland, Om Patel and Johnson all combined on the mound to back up the offensive explosion and limit Jenkins to two runs. Along with others who have contributed to great performances in previous games, Bo Stephens and Brad DeMent had hits against Jenkins.

The Academy of Athens kicked off the Region 8-A-Private competition last Tuesday after press time.

The Spartans traveled to Prince Avenue Christian for the first of a three-game series. Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday at home and Game 3 is Friday at Prince Avenue Christian.

Over the next few weeks, the Spartans will take on Loganville Christian Academy, Athens Christian School, Tallulah Falls and George Walton Academy.

The series standings at the end of those games will determine which area teams advance to the Class A-Private State Tournament.