Cardinals Suffer First Loss of 2026, Fall 4-1 to Liberty Christian in Doubleheader Finale
Fort Worth Christian fell to Liberty Christian 4-1. Sat · Feb 7, 2026
Fort Worth Christian Cardinals baseball · 2026 season.
Fort Worth Christian suffered its first setback of the 2026 campaign on Saturday evening, falling 4-1 to Liberty Christian in the second half of a tournament doubleheader. The loss snaps the Cardinals' season-opening three-game win streak, dropping their record to 3-1 as they wrap up an action-packed opening weekend.
Despite the tough final score, the Cardinals still found moments to generate offensive pressure. Jaxon Casselberry sparked the lineup by ripping a line drive to right-center field that rolled to the wall for a lead-off double. FWC's lone run came courtesy of Grady Emerson, who laced a hard ground ball single to left field. Jacob Ward crossed the plate on the play, while a throwing error allowed Griffin Carney to advance to third and Emerson to hustle into scoring position.
Defensively, the Cardinals flashed the leather to keep the game within reach. Second baseman Griffin Carney and first baseman Antonio Andujar worked smoothly together to record key outs on the right side of the infield. The defensive highlight of the night came on an impressive diving stop by the first baseman, who gloved a tough grounder and tossed to the covering pitcher for a crucial out.
Liberty Christian's pitching ultimately contained the FWC bats down the stretch, concluding the top of the sixth inning with a swinging strikeout by Hank Austin. The Cardinals will now regroup and look to start a new winning streak when they return to the diamond to host Legacy Christian Academy.
Top plays
- Top of 1st, 1 out — Grady Emerson grounds out, shortstop Z Drew to first baseman M Deem.
- Bottom of 1st, 0 out — D Hawpe grounds out, second baseman Griffin Carney to first baseman Antonio Andujar.
- Top of 2nd, 0 out — Jaxon Casselberry doubles on a line drive to right fielder T King.
- Top of 3rd, 1 out — Grady Emerson singles on a hard ground ball to left fielder D Holmes, Jacob Ward scores on error by left fielder D Holmes, Griffin Carney advances to 3rd on the same error, Grady Emerson advances to 2nd on the same error.
- Top of 4th, 2 out — Blayne MacDonald flies out to right fielder T King.
- Top of 6th, 1 out — Jaxon Casselberry grounds out, first baseman M Deem to pitcher D Hawpe.
- Top of 6th, 2 out — Hank Austin strikes out swinging, D Hawpe pitching.