By By Matthew Nascone
The Escambia Academy Cougars baseball team picked up their second win of the season in the team's opening area game against Jackson March 23. The 9-4 win was fueled by a seven-run fourth inning for the Cougars.
"We had a great inning in the fourth and we got some of the breaks that we have not had in the past," EA head coach Mitch Hughes said. "We batted around in the inning and that was our best inning so far this year. We came alive in the fourth and played well from that point on."
For the game the Cougars (2-6, 1-0 in Alabama Independent School Association Class 2A East Region play) had 11 hits and six walks at the plate, while Cody Norton and Tyler Brown took charge on the mound. Norton allowed four runs on six hits in six innings, striking out three batters and walking none.
Brown pitched the final inning, striking out one and walking one.
"Both Cody and Tyler pitched well and I was pleased with their effort," Hughes said.
Offensively, John Brantley was 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI. Joe Drew went 2-for-3 with one RBI. Ethan Brooks was 2-for-4 with one RBI. Brown went 2-for-3 with one RBI. And Jon Dean, Norton and Dustin Hall had one hit apiece.
Hughes said it was good to get the win.
"We got into good hit-and-run situations and we were also able to steal some bases," he said. "When we got in those situations we capitalized on them."
The Cougars next game is on the road against Cottage Hill.
In softball action
The Lady Cougars (7-2, 1-0 in AISA action) downed Jackson 6-0 at home on Thursday. Stacey Gibbs (5-2) picked up the win for the Lady Cougars. She pitched seven innings, allowing three hits, striking out three and walking one.
"Stacey did a good job and she had an outstanding defensive performance behind her," EA head coach Darrell Jackson said. "Cynthia Allen made three spectacular catches in the field. She made those catches you don't expect from your players, but you are happy to get them."
Jackson said that first area game is always important.
"This was a big win for us in our first area game," Jackson said. Jackson was a tough opponent. The game was a lot closer than the score indicates. You want all games to be wins, but you especially want to win the area games because that is how you get to the state tournament."
Jaime Drew went 2-for-4 at the plate with a triple. Ashley Smith was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Allen went 2-for-3 with one RBI.
The Lady Cougars played in the Marengo Tournament Friday and Saturday and the results will be in Wednesday's Advance.