Mustangs begin to hit stride

Madison Academy right-hander Lucas Mordecai recently returned from injury for the defending Class 3A state baseball champions, who are ranked No. 3. CONTRIBUTED

HUNTSVILLE – Coach Mike Good is finally seeing snapshots of the true Madison Academy baseball team that entered the season bent on repeating as Class 3A state champions.

Saddled with injuries and the late arrival of players who helped the school repeat as state basketball champions, the Mustangs experienced an uneven start to the season.

For the first time during spring break, pitchers Jake Christa and Lucas Mordecai were available at the same time as both returned from injuries when the Mustangs played in the Ladd Memorial Classic in Union City, Tenn.

The Mustangs entered the tournament on a four-game losing streak and had an 11-9 record. Madison Academy then defeated Yorkville (Ill.) 8-6, Union City 4-1 and South Side of Jackson (Tenn.) 5-1 before falling 6-5 to a strong Lee’s Summit West of Missouri.

“I was pleased,’’ Good said. “It was the first time we had our two big right-handers.’’

Of the basketball players, Good said Will Acuff and James Nix were “playing well’’ and Jack Fulkerson showed signs of getting into form by “hitting the ball to the opposite field.’’

Outfielder Trey Owens, sidelined for a while with a pulled hamstring, is “starting to hit the ball again,’’ Good said.

Since spring break, the Mustangs are 5-3 with a win over 7A, No. 4 Bob Jones and losses to the Patriots and 7A, No. 2 Sparkman. They are 19-13 and ranked No. 3 headed into the weekend.