Swannanoa Valley rivalry renewed on the diamond

ACA tops Owen, 9-5, in showdown of local Programs

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
April 24, 2026

A pair of Swannanoa Valley baseball programs gathered on the baseball diamond, April 23, when Owen hosted Asheville Christian Academy in a crosstown showdown.

The third meeting between the Lions and Warhorses in a decade ended in a 9-5 victory for the visiting team.

Sophomore Donovan Felix started on the mound for ACA, which entered the afternoon contest with a 1-17 record, against freshman southpaw pitcher Sawyer Hammond and the 5-13 Warhorses.

The Lions staked an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, before Owen senior Jackson Warnock tied the game in the bottom of the frame with his first home run of the season. Warnock, who finished the contest with 2 hits in 4 at-bats, is maintaining a .527 batting average for his three-year varsity career.

The Warhorses pulled ahead, 2-1, in the third inning, with strong defensive support behind Hammond through the fourth. An offensive barrage from the Lions in the top of the fifth inning opened a 6-2 advantage, while Owen responded with a 3-run rally in the bottom half.

ACA added 3 runs in the next frame, securing its second victory in three games. Owen fell in its sixth straight contest. With the win, the Lions have won all three meetings between the Swannanoa Valley high schools since 2016.

The Warhorses will host their final home game of the regular season at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 28, when they host Mountain Heritage.

The Lions will host Hickory Christian Academy at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 28, before finishing the season at home, Friday, May 1, against Avery County.

Photos of the matchup between Owen and ACA baseball can be viewed in the gallery at the top of the page.