By By Tim Cottrell
The Escambia County Blue Devils suffered another tough loss Friday night in Flomaton when the Aggies of Jackson delivered them a 12-6 pounding.
"This is a game that got away from us early," Blue Devil coach Keith Nall said. "We had a bad second inning and gave up seven runs. We could never recover from it."
The Blue Devils scored four runs in the fourth inning to cut the deficit to 7-4, and after Jackson added another run the Devils scored two more to close within two. That would be as close as they would get.
Leading hitters for the Blue Devils were Darius English at 1-for-4 with one run; Chris Frost hit 1-for-3; Brian Johnson was 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored; Jonathon McNeil batted 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI; Jeremy Rolin batted 0-for-3 with an RBI; Skylar Rolin batted 1-for-2 with a run scored; Alvin Simmons was 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI; and Farrell Staples was 1-for-3 with two RBI and a run.
Chris Graham was the losing pitcher for the Blue Devils, pitching 1 2/3 innings and giving up seven runs, only three of which were earned. He struck out two batters and walked four. Skylar Rolin came on in relief and went the rest of the way for ECHS, giving up five runs, only two of which were earned and striking out four.
"The kids played hard and never gave up," Nall said. "They battled the whole game. Take away the second inning and it's a different ballgame."
The Blue Devils traveled to Mobile Tuesday afternoon to face the Bulldogs of UMS-Wright in an area showdown, but that game was incomplete at press-time.
Tuscaloosa 10-11
EA 3-0
The Cougars of Escambia Academy made the long trek to