With the help of a five run first inning, including a two-run homerun by sophomore Taylor Sims, the Laurens Academy varsity baseball team improved their record to 3-1 with an 11-0 shutout victory over Batesburg-Leesville on Thursday night.

Crusader pitcher Ryland Culbertson improved to 2-0 with a complete game, 5-inning shutout.  Culbertson had another stellar outing giving up only two hits with two walks and eight strikeouts.

The Crusader offense was led by Sims, who finished the evening going 3-3 with 2 HRs, 3 runs scored, and 2 RBIs.  J.E. Satterfield was 3-4 with 1 RBI.  Brandon Martin was 2-4 with 2 doubles, 2 runs scored and an RBI.  Culbertson helped himself going 2-4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI.  Tyler Mitchell added a double with 2 RBIs and a run scored.  Griffin Shell added a single.

The Crusaders’ next game is against Happy Valley High from Elizabethton, TN, on Friday at 7:00 pm at Laurens Academy.