By By Matthew Nascone
The Escambia County Lady Blue Devils softball team has won a third of as many games as they did for the entire 2006 season. First-year head coach Duree Madden has the girls off to a hot start.
"The girls are doing so well right now," Madden said.
They are doing so well they have outscored their opponents 34-3 in the first two games of the season en route to a 2-0 record and good feelings in the dugout.
"They are in such high spirits because they have been playing so well," Madden said.
On Monday the girls mercy-ruled Hillcrest in three innings, 21-0. Madden said the entire roster averaged two runs scored each and Brittney Rodriguez, Raven Culliver and Michaela Norman crossed the plate three times.
Culliver (2-0) picked up the win for ECHS, throwing two innings of shutout ball. She struck out all but one batter she faced. Minikai Smith relieved Culliver in the third inning and struck out two batters.
Lady Devils 13 – W.S. Neal 3
To open the season, the Lady Devils traveled to East Brewton for a matchup with the Lady Blue Eagles of W.S. Neal High School. The game was a 13-3 victory for ECHS.
"We only had a couple of errors, but they bounced back and did well," Madden said. "Myeshia Richardson was a big asset for us on the bases. She scored two runs and stole a couple bases."
Brittney Rodriguez was 2-for-3, Michaela Norman was 2-for-4 and Leslie Lyons and Raven Culliver added one hit each.
Culliver also picked up the win on the mound, pitching five innings and allowing one run on five hits. She struck out 13 Blue Eagles and walked one. Norman relieved Culliver in the sixth inning and allowed two runs. She struck out six batters and walked four.
The Lady Devils faced Excel Tuesday and the results will be in an upcoming Advance. The team's next game is tomorrow in Thomasville for a doubleheader. The first pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.