By By Matthew Nascone
The past few days have been rough on the Escambia Academy baseball team. On Monday, the Cougars lost to Evangel Christian Academy 11-2 and Saturday they dropped a doubleheader to Monroe Academy.
"I don't know what happened (against Evangel)," EA head coach Jason Barnett said. "Evangel was late getting to us, but they got off the bus and started hitting the baseball."
The Lions jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and never let up on the Cougars. EA did answer with two runs in the bottom of the first, but Barnett said his team let the Lions off the hook.
"We did get two runs in that first inning, but we had the bases loaded with less than two outs and we did not get any runs across. If we could have put one or two more runners across the plate it might have been a different ball game."
Austin Eicher started the game on the mound and went four innings before Kevin Maher relieved him. Eicher took the loss, allowing three earned runs on six hits. He struck out five Lions and walked four. Maher threw the final three innings and allowed two earned runs with two strikeouts and three walks.
The Cougars did not score after the first inning, but Evangel added one run in each of the second, third and fourth innings and five runs in the sixth inning.
"We have guys expecting the other guys to step up and make a play for them," Barnett said. "And as soon as we decide to grow and mature, we will be a great team. But right now we have too many guys making mental mistakes. Athletically we are fine, but we need to pick it up mentally."
Jon Dean and Dustin Hall each scored one run for EA. Dean also had two walks in the leadoff position.
Monroe 7 – Cougars 3
In the second game of the doubleheader against Monroe Academy on Saturday the Cougars lost, 7-3.
Tyler Brown started the game on the mound and took the loss for the Cougars. Joe Drew relieved Brown on the mound.
Monroe jumped up early with one run in the first, but the Cougars scored one run in the third inning to tie the score at 1-1. EA took the lead in the fifth inning at 2-1, but Monroe added four runs and took the lead back at 5-2. The Cougars retaliated with one run in the sixth inning, but Monroe sealed their victory with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Joe Drew led the Cougars at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Blake Kirk and Kaweta Coon each scored one run.
Monroe 9 – Cougars 1
In the opening game of the doubleheader, the Cougars never got the bats going and lost 9-1.
Monroe scored three runs in the first inning and EA scored their lone run of the game on a Joe Drew home run in the second inning. Monroe added five runs in the third inning and one run in the fourth.
Cody Norton took the loss for EA.
The Cougars faced Marengo Academy yesterday and the results will be in an upcoming Advance. The next game for the Cougars is scheduled for tomorrow against Cottage Hill at 3:30 p.m.