Perhaps no one is more appreciative that Calvary Day plays baseball home games this season on an artificial turf field than those who launder their uniforms.
Grass and dirt (and sweat) stains can be tough to get out of, but two of those categories are erased when the Cavaliers play at Grayson Stadium, which has a new artificial turf field courtesy of its main tenant, the Savannah Bananas Professional ballclub. Even what would be infield dirt is brown-colored turf.
"It's really nice. Really nice field, really nice atmosphere," said CDS senior shortstop Russell Christian III, in his fourth season on varsity. "I love having all the fans out here."
Christian and the Cavaliers had just beaten Liberty County 10-0 in five innings on Thursday night. Liberty County also has an artificial turf field, where the Panthers dropped a 12-0 decision in six innings to CDS on Tuesday.
"We've played on (artificial turf) probably four or five times already this year in other locations," Calvary coach Phillip Lee said. "It's become a little bit of a norm for most clubs."
The Cavaliers normally wear white pants when playing on turf – as stains would show up really well – to save some wear and tear on their gray pants.
Lee appreciates the Bananas accommodating the team, especially when CDS was in its first week of practice, and its usual practice field was underwater from rain. The players made a point to get as much practice in as they could to adjust to the new field before the season.
The coach said a hit baseball "absolutely" gets to infielders and outfielders quicker on turf, but one tradeoff is "it's going take true hops, which is always nice."
Senior center fielder Max Arnold said that diving for baseballs is better on turf than grass because sometimes one's footing gets stuck on grass.
On the other hand, "especially if you get like a one-hop line drive to you, that thing will speed up on you. It can bounce over your head."
Count senior third baseman Brody Dawson among supporters of the change to turf.
"It plays perfect. No crazy bounces. It plays real," Dawson said. "Just a little bit quicker. You've got to trust your hands and have fun out there."
Christian considers himself rather quick and said his teammates feel quicker on turf than on natural grass.
"It just makes us feel faster," Christian said. "When we're out here on this turf, we go really fast, we're able to cover a lot of ground."
There's intentionally covering more ground and then, well, the unintentional kind. When the field gets wet, as happenedin Monday's home victory over Southeast Bulloch, baserunners might hit the turf with less control.
"Especially when it's a little slick, like it was the other night, we had guys that kept sliding, sliding and sliding," Lee said. "It was one of those things you've got to get used to."
The coach mentioned Arnold's adventure on the basepaths as one example.
"I went to steal second the other night and I just kept sliding, almost all the way to the outfield grass out there," Arnold recalled. "Well, not grass. Turf, I guess."
He tried to stop his slide at second base but "just ate the bag and went right over and kept going," he said. "I was safe and then I was out because I didn't get back in time."
While players adjusted to the new field, which Arnold called beautiful, the traditionalist in him had a personal preference.
"I like playing on a regular baseball field better, getting all dirty," Arnold said, his eyes black and smudged on his cheeks. "That's just an aspect of the game."
Cavaliers keep rolling
As for Thursday's game itself, the Cavaliers sent 11 batters to the plate in the home half of the opening inning and scored seven runs en route to the 10-0 victory.
Calvary Day (10-4, 5-0 Region 3-3A) had 12 hits, including Sam Renshaw going 3-for-3 with a double and two runs scored. Dalton Kelly hit a two-run triple in the first inning, and Christian was 2-for-2 with two RBIs and a third-inning sacrifice fly.
Tyler Hickman hit an opposite-field single in the fifth inning to bring home Renshaw after his infield single, and Christian delivered an RBI single up the middle to trigger the 10-run rule and end the game against the Panthers (8-5, 0-2 region).
"I was proud of them," Lee said after Calvary's fifth consecutive victory. "We talked about coming into tonight and just attacking from the get-go. They did a great job putting up that seven-spot in the first. I just challenged them to continue that as they go throughout the game. A great team effort across the board."
Cavaliers starter Scottie Budrow earned the win after 4 2/3 scoreless innings with two hits, two walks, and three strikeouts. Budrow came out of the game with two outs in the fifth, as did some of his fellow senior starters – first baseman Ryan Wallace, right fielder Cutter Powell, center fielder Arnold, and third baseman Dawson -- as the program recognized the seniors in the final home game of the regular season.
"Just getting all of those seniors off the field at the same time so our fans can appreciate them as much as we have these four years," Lee said.
The Cavaliers have 12 more regular-season games scheduled, beginning Friday at Liberty County in Hinesville, to complete the three-game season series. Next week, the team travels to Las Vegas for four games in the Bishop Gorman National Invitational.
"We're road warriors from this point out," Lee said.
Lee Notches Win 200
Calvary Day School's baseball team secured a 5-1 victory over Southeast Bulloch on Wednesday, March 12, marking head coach Phillip Lee's 200th career win. Before their game against Liberty County, the Cavaliers honored Lee with a celebratory banner and balloons, with his children throwing the ceremonial first pitch.
PHOTO: Milestone Moment: Calvary Day School head baseball coach Phillip Lee celebrates his 200th career win alongside his players at Grayson Stadium - Luubie Shots
An alumnus of Calvary Day School ('03), Lee has been instrumental in maintaining the baseball program's prominence in Savannah and across Georgia. He led the team to the state championships in 2024. His dedication positively impacts the school's athletic community and student-athletes at Calvary Day School.
PHOTO: Box score from the March 13 matchup - Courtesy of Calvary Day School
PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy luubie_shots Photography
FOLLOW the Prep Sports Report on Twitter @PrepSav and Instagram savannahsportsreport. If you have any scores, information, or story ideas to share, please email kdemasi@prepsportsreport.com.
Optim Orthopedics: Championing Savannah's Prep Sports Scene!
From the gridiron, hardwood, and baseball diamond, Optim Orthopedics stands tall as a dedicated supporter of high school athletes across Savannah. They're not just sponsors—they're game changers, delivering top-notch medical care to nine standout schools:
- Dr. Don Aaron: Bryan County Middle/High School
- Dr. David Sedory: Benedictine Military, Bradwell Institute, Liberty County
- Dr. David Palmer: Calvary Day, Richmond Hill, South Effingham
- Dr. Thomas Alexander: Savannah Country Day, St. Vincent's
As Southeast leaders in fellowship-trained orthopedic care, Optim Orthopedics fuels Prep Sports Report's basketball and football coverage. Because when the game's on the line, Optim Orthopedics gets you back in it!
