By By Tim Cottrell
The Escambia Academy Cougars made the long trip to Selma Wednesday afternoon and took care of business, sweeping Meadowview Academy, knocking them out of the Alabama Independent School Association's playoffs by scores of 5-1 and 5-4.
EA head coach Mike Harrell was ecstatic with the big win.
"We played very well defensively," Harrell said. "I don't think we made an error in either game. We made a couple of key double plays to get out of innings. We had one inning where we pitched out of a bases-loaded jam."
Harrell felt the team may have let up a bit early in the second game, but was able to straighten things out.
"We hit a lot better the first game than we did the second," he said. "We were down 4-2 going into the fifth and tied it there and went ahead in the sixth."
Joe Drew picked up the win at pitcher for the Cougars, tossing a complete game and striking out nine. He allowed only four hits in the contest. Norris Brooks notched another win at pitcher in the second game of the series, also tossing a complete game and striking out 11.
Catcher Oliver Petty was the star of the day for EA, knocking in four runs in the two games. He finished with four hits in eight at-bats during the two games.
Other leading Cougars during the course of the doubleheader were Josh Montel and Cody Norton, who each scored two runs and knocked in one.
The Cougars will now travel to Selma again Thursday to compete in the AISA Final Four.
"If Clarke Prep wins Thursday we'll probably play Tuscaloosa Academy," Harrell said. "If Abbeville Christian beats them we'll probably play them. I kind of hope we can see a different team."
Harrell felt the big win could propel his team to a championship.
"It was a good opportunity to come out with a big win," Harrell said. "Hopefully this will show the team what it takes to win in these games. They weren't a great team, but a win is a win."
Jay 6
Northview 5
Home-field advantage was not enough for the Northview Chiefs to overcome an early 6-0 deficit to the Jay Royals Tuesday night in Bratt.
The Royals scored two runs in the first inning and four more in the second, but the late rally by the Chiefs was not enough to continue their season, falling in the first round of the district playoffs.
Greg Steadham took the loss at pitcher for Northview, pitching six innings, allowing six runs off seven hits and striking out seven.
J.J. Cutler led the Chiefs at the plate, batting 2-for-4 with four RBI, a run scored, and a triple. Sean Little also batted 2-for-4 and knocked in the other Northview run.
Other leading Chiefs were Steadham, Jordan Cook, Tyler Tucci, and Brandon Walker. Steadham, Cook, and Tucci each finished 1-for-3 on the day, with Steadham scoring twice and Cook and Tucci once. Walker batted 2-for-4 on the day.
The Chiefs finished the season with a 10-12 record.