By By Tim Cottrell
Already eliminated from playoff contention, the Escambia County Blue Devils began play Thursday in the Escambia County Tournament in Flomaton looking to go out on a high note.
Another error-prone performance got things off to a bad start Thursday against Flomaton High School.
The Hurricanes scored four runs in the first two innings, aided by five errors, to build a 4-0 lead and hold on for a 5-2 win. The loss marked the 12th in a row for the Blue Devils.
"Those five errors in the first two innings killed us," Blue Devil skipper Keith Nall said.
Jonathon McNeil took the loss at pitcher for the Blue Devils, going six innings and striking out two. He allowed only two hits, and all four runs allowed were unearned. Kevin Green came on in relief for the seventh inning and allowed one run on two hits and struck out one.
The Blue Devils managed only five hits on the day. Corey Flowers provided two of those in three plate appearances. Darius English and Chris Frost both batted 1-for-3 on the day. English knocked in one run and Frost belted a double.
Chris Graham provided the only other hit for the Blue Devils. Farrell Staples did not have a base-hit, but reached on an error and was walked. He scored both ECHS runs.
"McNeal threw the ball very well," Nall said. "He only gave up two hits in six innings. We have got to play complete games in order to win. That is something we have stressed all year."
Jackson 4
ECHS 2
Tuesday in Jackson, the Blue Devils had their best chance to get back on the winning track in quite some time, but a Jonathon McNeal moon shot came up just short at the centerfield fence, handing the Blue Devils another close loss.
Kevin Green got the start for ECHS, pitching six innings and allowing nine hits while striking out three.
Darius English and Chris Frost lead the Blue Devils on the day, with English legging out one double in four at-bats and driving in one run; and Frost batting 2-for-3 on the day and scoring a run.
Alvin Simmons, Corey Flowers, Chris Graham, Brian Johnson, and McNeil also added base-hits on the day.
"We finally came together and played well," Nall said. "We just couldn't get that hit to push us over the top. You can add this one to the list of close games we've lost. I think this is the seventh or eighth game this year we've lost by one or two runs.
"We had a chance to go ahead in the seventh," Nall added. "With two runners on and two outs, we flew out to centerfield at the fence. If the ball would have been hit 15 feet to the left or right it would have been a home run, but it was dead centerfield."
Northview 15
Esc. Charter 0
The Northview Chiefs got back on the winning track Thursday by pounding Escambia Charter School 15-0 in Bratt.
Matt Reynolds got the start at pitcher for the Chiefs, and pitched all five innings prior to the game being called due to the 10-run rule. He struck out five and allowed only three hits.
Philip Enfinger provided the fireworks on the day, belting his second home run of the season, a three-run dinger.
J.J. Cutler and Travis Duncan both finished the day with two hits and two runs scored. Nick Angeles batted 1-for-2 with a two-RBI double. Northview sent 14 of its batters to the plate, and only two failed to get a base-hit. Only one batter failed to reach base.
Baker 4
Northview 0
Tuesday was not so kind to the Chiefs as Northview lost a home contest against district foe Baker.
Northview committed five errors on the day, and only two of Baker's four runs were earned.
Greg Steadham took the loss at pitcher for the Chiefs on the day. He struck out five and walked only one.
The Chiefs managed only four hits on the day, with Travis Duncan, Philip Enfinger, Sean Little, and Tyler Tucci getting the four hits – all singles.
Northview head coach Chris Poulsen was unavailable for comment due to a field trip.
Mobile Christian 2
The Escambia Academy Cougars hosted Mobile Christian Tuesday in Canoe and played one of their best games all year, defeating Mobile 3-2.
"We are 3-2 against Mobile teams," Cougar skipper Mike Harrell said. "We not 1-3."
The first three innings of the game were scoreless, but Mobile jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a two-run fourth inning. EA then answered back with a run in the bottom of the inning and two more in the bottom of the fifth to provide the winning margin.
Norris Brooks picked up the win for EA, going the distance and striking out four Mobile Christian batters.
Oliver Petty was the star of the day for the Cougars, batting 1-for-3 with an RBI double. He also reached on an error in the fifth that scored the two runs. Norris Brooks batted 2-for-2 on the day with a run scored, and Cody Norton was 2-for-3 with a run scored.
"We hit the ball well," Harrell said. "We just hit it right at some folks a few times. We didn't make many mistakes and we played a pretty good game."
EA 14
Sparta 3
In a game that sewed up a playoff spot for the Cougars, EA pummeled area foe Sparta Academy Tuesday in Evergreen.
Joe Drew picked up the win at pitcher for EA.
The game was not out of reach for the Warriors heading into the final inning. EA lead 8-3, but used a six-run final inning to erase any doubt.
Norris Brooks knocked in three runs for the Cougars on 2-for-4 batting. He also scored two runs on the day and legged out a double and a triple. Cody Norton, Joe Drew, and Bruce Smith had two-RBI days for the Cougars.
Coach Harrell felt his team was making a strong push for the playoffs.
"We're hitting the ball very well lately," Harrell said. "We still have a few things to work on defensively, but if we come out and play our game I think we can be the best team in this area."