By By James Crawford
News Editor
On a bone-chilling Monday night, the Escambia County Lady Blue Devils softball team hit the field raring to go but couldn't find the magic in a 6-1 loss at home to Robertsdale in the season opener.
The Lady Devils racked up 11 hits with Lasheka Williams having the only run in a tough fought contest.
"For the first game of the season, I was truly impressed with our hitting game. Renee Wheeler, Makeyia Burt, Lasheka Williams, Hannah Rigsby and Cassie Lassiter all hit the ball really well," said Lady Devil's Head Coach Christy Nall. "Our defensive game was a little shaky, but I feel that we will bounce back and play strong this weekend in the Fairhope Tournament."
Williams, Rigsby, Burt and Renee Wheeler all went two for three and Rigsby had the only RBI. "Cassie did an excellent job on the mound with nine strikeouts," said Nall.
The Lady Devils ended last year in second place in the area tournament with a loss to Robertsdale. The team lost five seniors to graduation and will have four girls step up from the junior varsity squad this year.
"My ace is Cassie. She's my pitcher and my strongest hitter," said Nall. "I look for good things from her, Hannah, Gia Rodriquez and Rachel Garrett. Gia and Rachel didn't play last year but are both back and will be starters."
The Lady Devils are playing in a new region this year, just as the boy's team is and will be facing a different set of opponents. Although Robertsdale is no longer in their region, the game still garnished a good turnout. "The Robertsdale game is somewhat of a big rivalry. Robertsdale, Bay Minette and Northview are our biggest games," said Nall.
And unlike the boy's team, the Lady Devil's have already played some of their new opponents before and had success against them.
"We've played Charles Henderson and Eufaula in the past and beat them," said Nall. "I really do look for us to finish in the top two and we hope to be number one."
The Lady Devils will be in action this weekend in the Fairhope Tournament. They face UMS-Wright in the opening round on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday morning will again face Robertsdale at 9 a.m.