By By Tim Cottrell
Escambia Academy's Lady Cougar softball team faced off against Jackson Academy Tuesday afternoon in the second area matchup between the two teams. In a game similar to the 4-1 Lady Cougar win from two weeks back, EA capitalized on aggressive base-running and poor defense by the Lady Eagles to capture the win by a score of 5-2.
"The key was a three-run fifth inning," Lady Cougar coach Darrell Jackson said. "Jaime Drew lead off the inning and was hit by a pitch, then Meagan Jackson laid down a bunt. After two throwing errors, both of them wound up scoring. Lori Bonds came up and had a single, then Cynthia Allen and Stacey Gibbs got hit by pitches to load the bases. We squeezed in Lori and that blew the game open for us. They hit four batters and that was just the death of them."
Stacey Gibbs picked up the win at pitcher, going all seven innings, striking out four, allowing two runs off two hits, and walking four.
Leading hitters for the Lady Cougars (8-3) were Meagan Jackson, who was 1-for-3 in the game; Allison Thomas, who notched one hit in her three at-bats and drove in a run; and Lori Bonds who managed one hit in four at-bats.
Jackson said his team seemed to be a bit rusty during the game.
"We were a bit sluggish," Jackson said. "It seemed like we might have had Spring Break-itis."
Despite the inconsistent performance from Tuesday, Jackson was thrilled with his team's potential.
"We need to have more consistent play," Jackson said. "But if we can do that and eliminate mistakes, we will be the team to beat in 2A."
The Lady Cougars traveled to Clarke Prep Friday afternoon, but that game was incomplete at press time.
JU Blacksher 5
ECHS 1
The Lady Devils of Escambia County were welcomed back from Spring Break rudely by JU Blacksher in a 5-1 loss at Ponytail Park in Atmore, Tuesday.
The loss dropped ECHS to 7-8 on the season.
Lady Devil coach Jeff Haney said he felt the team had its chances to win the game.
"We made a couple of errors that really hurt us," Haney said. "We didn't get the hits when we needed them, either."
The Lady Devils have already been seeded fourth for the area tournament, with a make-up game with Jackson scheduled for Tuesday. That game was scheduled to play Thursday, but the wet field in Jackson postponed that matchup.
Haney said the team would need to do many things to become more competitive, but he felt the team was capable of doing so.
"We really need to cut down on our errors," Haney said. "We need more timely hitting, also."
Northview 7,
Jay 2
Three games into the season, the Northview Lady Chiefs had yet to score a run. They have now won seven of their last nine and have found the bats in a big way.
The Lady Chiefs hosted Jay Thursday afternoon in a district matchup for the driver's seat in the championship race. The Lady Chiefs entered the contest with a 1-1 mark in area play, and the Lady Royals had won their only area contest against Baker.
Northview used crafty base-running and sharp hitting to pound the Lady Royals into submission.
Cassie Godwin picked up the win for the Lady Chiefs, allowing one earned run off ten hits and striking out seven.
Leading hitters for the Lady Chiefs were Godwin, who hit 2-for-3 with a triple and two runs scored; Darbi Langhorne, who recorded a hit in each of her four at-bats and scored a run; Stephanie Covan, who batted 2-for-4 with an RBI; Rachel Killam, who had one hit and an RBI; Kayla Presley recorded a double in her three at-bats' and Vanessa Garrison notched two hits, a double, and two runs scored.
Northview 5
West Fla. Tech 0
The Lady Chiefs avenged a shutout home loss to the Lady Jaguars of West Florida Tech and had a special moment in doing so Tuesday afternoon.
All-world Lady Chief Cassie Godwin tossed a no-hitter during the contest. She also recorded no walks, but there were three Lady Chief errors.
Godwin also helped her own cause at the plate, notching a triple, drawing two walks, and scoring a run. Darbi Langhorne notched a double while getting two hits in three at bats; Stephanie Covan recorded a hit in each of her two at-bats; Kayla Presley notched two hits; and Rachel Killam lined a double and scored a run.
Northview 5
Butler County (Ky.) 4
Late-inning heroics abounded in the Lady Chiefs matchup with Butler County High School out of Kentucky. Northview trailed 4-3 heading into the final inning.
After a lead-off out, Darbi Langhorne came up to the plate and drove a single. Caitlin Spence followed with another single. Then Stephanie Covan steppped up to the plate, and drove a ball to the fence while the Butler County outfielders were playing shallow; legging out a triple that scored both runs and gave the Lady Chiefs the win.
Caitlin Spence picked up the win for the Lady Chiefs, pitching all seven innings and allowing four runs off ten hits. She struck out seven.
Leading hitters for the Lady Chiefs were Covan with the triple and 2 RBI; Rachel Killam, who also had a triple; and Stacey Hardin, who legged out a double. All three batted 2-for-3 in the game.
The Lady Chiefs will face Escambia County Monday afternoon at 4 p.m.championship race. The Lady Chiefs entered the contest with a 1-1 mark in area play, and the Lady Royals had won their only area contest against Baker.
Northview used crafty base-running and sharp hitting to pound the Lady Royals into submission.
Cassie Godwin picked up the win for the Lady Chiefs, allowing one earned run off ten hits and striking out seven.
Leading hitters for the Lady Chiefs were Godwin, who hit 2-for-3 with a triple and two runs scored; Darbi Langhorne, who recorded a hit in each of her four at-bats and scored a run; Stephanie Covan, who batted 2-for-4 with an RBI; Rachel Killam, who had one hit and an RBI; Kayla Presley recorded a double in her three at-bats' and Vanessa Garrison notched two hits, a double, and two runs scored.
Northview 5
West Fla. Tech 0
The Lady Chiefs avenged a shutout home loss to the Lady Jaguars of West Florida Tech and had a special moment in doing so Tuesday afternoon.
All-world Lady Chief Cassie Godwin tossed a no-hitter during the contest. She also recorded no walks, but there were three Lady Chief errors.
Godwin also helped her own cause at the plate, notching a triple, drawing two walks, and scoring a run. Darbi Langhorne notched a double while getting two hits in three at bats; Stephanie Covan recorded a hit in each of her two at-bats; Kayla Presley notched two hits; and Rachel Killam lined a double and scored a run.
Northview 5
Butler County (Ky.) 4
Late-inning heroics abounded in the Lady Chiefs matchup with Butler County High School out of Kentucky. Northview trailed 4-3 heading into the final inning.
After a lead-off out, Darbi Langhorne came up to the plate and drove a single. Caitlin Spence followed with another single. Then Stephanie Covan steppped up to the plate, and drove a ball to the fence while the Butler County outfielders were playing shallow; legging out a triple that scored both runs and gave the Lady Chiefs the win.
Caitlin Spence picked up the win for the Lady Chiefs, pitching all seven innings and allowing four runs off ten hits. She struck out seven.
Leading hitters for the Lady Chiefs were Covan with the triple and 2 RBI; Rachel Killam, who also had a triple; and Stacey Hardin, who legged out a double. All three batted 2-for-3 in the game.
The Lady Chiefs will face Escambia County Monday afternoon at 4 p.m..