Late Rally Falls Short as Cardinals Drop 8-5 Decision to Sachse
Fort Worth Christian fell to Sachse 8-5. Fri · Feb 27, 2026
Fort Worth Christian Cardinals baseball · 2026 season.
Fort Worth Christian's late-inning rally wasn't enough on Friday afternoon, as the Cardinals dropped an 8-5 decision to the Sachse Mustangs in tournament play at Rock Hill High School. The loss moves FWC to 11-3 on the season as they look to rediscover their winning form after dropping consecutive games.
The Cardinals' offense found life late, stringing together clutch hits to close the gap. Braylen James sparked the surge with a line-drive RBI single to center field, bringing Andrew Ridgell across the plate. Jaxon Casselberry kept the line moving by ripping a ground ball single to the left side to score Grady Emerson. Jake Parkerson then delivered the biggest blow of the frame, lacing a two-run single to the outfield to tighten the contest and put pressure on the Mustangs.
Defensively, Emerson anchored the middle of the infield at shortstop. He expertly corralled a pop-out and later showcased his range by fielding a grounder and firing a strike to first baseman Antonio Andujar to record a crucial out. Despite the defensive execution, Sachse's offense managed to break through early, highlighted by a two-run double that built a lead FWC ultimately couldn't overcome.
The Cardinals will have an immediate opportunity to flip the script, as they remain at the tournament facility to face the host team. FWC takes on Rock Hill at 5:30 p.m. in the second half of Friday's doubleheader, aiming to shake off the defeat and close the day on a high note.
Top plays
- Top of 1st, 0 out — C Upchurch singles on a line drive to right fielder Jaxon Casselberry.
- Top of 1st, 1 out — J Ponce pops out to shortstop Grady Emerson, C Upchurch remains at 2nd, A Moreno remains at 1st.
- Top of 1st, 2 out — G Darden doubles on a fly ball to center fielder B James, A Moreno scores, C Upchurch scores.
- Bottom of 3rd, 0 out — Antonio Andujar is hit by pitch, A Moreno pitching.
- Bottom of 4th, 2 out — Antonio Andujar strikes out swinging, A Moreno pitching.
- Top of 6th, 1 out — C Upchurch grounds out, shortstop Grady Emerson to first baseman Antonio Andujar, L Visser advances to 3rd.
- Top of 7th, 0 out — G Darden doubles on a line drive to left fielder Andrew Ridgell, J Ponce advances to 3rd.
- Bottom of 7th, 2 out — Braylen James singles on a line drive to center fielder N Sereseroz, Andrew Ridgell scores, Grady Emerson advances to 2nd.
- Bottom of 7th, 2 out — Jaxon Casselberry singles on a hard ground ball to left fielder G Darden, Grady Emerson scores, B James advances to 3rd on the throw.
- Bottom of 7th, 2 out — Jake Parkerson singles on a line drive to center fielder N Sereseroz, Jaxon Casselberry scores, B James scores.