Emerson and James Drive in Runs as Cardinals Open District Play with 3-1 Win Over Midland Christian
Fort Worth Christian defeated Midland Christian 3-1. Fri · Mar 13, 2026
Fort Worth Christian Cardinals baseball · 2026 season · District.
Fort Worth Christian successfully launched its TAPPS district campaign with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over the Midland Christian Mustangs on Friday night. Defending their home diamond in the first half of a crucial district series, the Cardinals leaned on timely hitting and airtight defense to improve their impressive overall record to 14-3.
The Cardinals' offense manufactured runs by capitalizing on key situations with runners in scoring position. Griffin Carney acted as the primary spark plug, reaching base on a sharp infield single and constantly pressuring the defense. Braylen James delivered the biggest extra-base hit of the night, smashing a double into the left-center field gap to drive in Carney. Grady Emerson also came through in the clutch, ripping a hard ground ball single to center field that brought Carney across the plate for another tally.
FWC continued to execute situationally, adding a vital insurance run when Jaxon Casselberry lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Emerson to tag up and score. Defensively, the Cardinals backed up their pitching staff by limiting mistakes and stymying the Midland Christian attack. Carney shined in the middle of the infield as well, highlighted by cleanly securing a key pop-out at second base to halt a potential Mustang rally.
Fort Worth Christian won't have to wait long to build on their early district success. The Cardinals and Mustangs will conclude their series on Saturday afternoon, with the second matchup scheduled for 1:30 p.m. FWC will look to complete the sweep and establish early dominance in the TAPPS standings.
Top plays
- Top of 1st, 0 out — J Stockstill walks, Gregory Smeds pitching.
- Top of 1st, 0 out — P Bullard walks, Gregory Smeds pitching, J Stockstill advances to 2nd.
- Top of 1st, 0 out — C Smith singles on a line drive to left fielder Andrew Ridgell, J Stockstill advances to 3rd, P Bullard advances to 2nd.
- Top of 1st, 0 out — C Hayes grounds into fielder's choice to third baseman Blayne MacDonald, P Bullard out advancing to 3rd, J Stockstill scores, C Smith advances to 2nd.
- Top of 1st, 1 out — B House grounds into fielder's choice to second baseman Griffin Carney, C Hayes out advancing to 2nd, C Smith advances to 3rd.
- Bottom of 3rd, 1 out — Braylen James doubles on a fly ball to center fielder J Stockstill, Griffin Carney scores, Grady Emerson advances to 3rd.
- Top of 5th, 1 out — R Stone pops out to second baseman Griffin Carney.
- Bottom of 5th, 0 out — Griffin Carney singles on a ground ball to third baseman J Shackelford.
- Bottom of 5th, 0 out — Grady Emerson singles on a hard ground ball to center fielder J Stockstill, Griffin Carney scores.
- Bottom of 5th, 1 out — Jaxon Casselberry out on sacrifice fly to center fielder J Stockstill, Grady Emerson scores.