Flames begin season with eye-popping performance
When the Faith Academy of Marble Falls baseball team trotted onto the YMCA of the Highland Lakes field for its season opener March 4, few knew what to expect. And yet no one expected what they saw.
The Flames crushed Bulverde Living Rock 15-0 in a contest that ended after three innings because of the run rule. Sophomore pitcher Kade Shaw threw a no-hitter and struck out eight batters and walked three. Offensively, junior Justin Mottle had 4 RBIs.
Faith head coach Zakk Revelle noted that Living Rock wasn’t at full strength and couldn’t help but credit his players for being more than ready to compete.
“Kade had a great day,” the coach said. “Justin got out there and got ahead in the count. Justin is the heart and soul. He plays year around.”
Though he commended Shaw and Mottle, Revelle said the Flames displayed a mix of accomplished and talented athletes against Living Rock who’ve experienced success in other sports and are bringing that to the diamond.
They include seniors Case Coleman and Dylan Offutt ,junior Jaden Jones, and sophomore Ian Smiles. The pitching staff includes sophomores Kolton Steele, Cross Sanchez and Shaw and Mottle. The catcher is freshman Carter Fromberg, a transfer from Austin Westlake.
“Carter is manna from heaven,” Revelle said. “Pitchers need those catchers who know what they’re doing. He’s a kid who’s going to help us for years.”
Revelle, who also serves as the school’s athletics director and boys head basketball coach, said he wanted to coach the baseball team because of his understanding of how important it is that athletes participate in as many sports as possible. That’s especially true in the spring when Mother Nature may sometimes play a factor on if a game or meet happens. As the baseball coach, Revelle can build the batting order around other sporting events where athletes are needed.
“I told them I’d do it for a couple of years,” he said. “And I believe if you can coach, you can coach. And the kids make it easy; they make you want to do it.”
Revelle said the athletes have made it clear they have a big goal that will make program history if they can meet it.
“Our No. 1 goal is to win the district championship,” he said. “We want to be the first (Faith) team to put a sticker on the (gym) banner (in this sport).”
The Flames welcome New Braunfels Christian Academy at 2 p.m. Monday, March 7, at the YMCA of the Highland Lakes, 1601 S. Water St. in Burnet.
