By By Matthew Nascone
The Escambia Academy Lady Cougars hung with the Lady Rams from Faith Academy for three innings Thursday afternoon in Canoe, but the fourth and fifth innings were not kind to EA.
Junior shortstop Malori McGhee roped a triple over the Faith right fielder in the first inning and freshman third baseman Tori Rodriguez drove her in with a single, but the Lady Cougars (2-5) could not muster anymore runs in the 8-1 loss at home.
"We did good for three innings," EA head coach Keri Payne said. "But we had a tough two innings where we let up a lot of runs and we couldn't get anyone on base."
The Lady Cougars also made six errors and Payne said that always makes it tough to win a ball game. She also said she was pleasantly surprised with the play of one of her backups.
"Katie Mothershed surprised me out there with two great diving catches in left field," she said.
Sophomore pitcher Jennifer Morris (2-4) took the loss on the mound, allowing eight runs, four earned on eight hits. She struck out three batters and walked none.
"She has had great control the past three games, as she has not walked anybody in those three games," Payne said.
McGhee led the way for EA, going 1-for-2 at the plate with one triple, one run scored and one walk. Rodriguez was 1-for-3 with one RBI and Morris and freshman second baseman Amber Huskey were each 1-for-3.
Cottage Hill 3 Lady Cougars 0
EA could not get the bats going against Cottage Hill on the road March 4, losing 3-0.
Morris took the loss, allowing three runs, one earned, on four hits. Cottage Hill scored all their runs in the first inning. Morris had seven strikeouts and zero walks.
McGhee was 1-for-3 and Morris was 1-for-2 at the plate.
Lady Cougars 11 Wilcox 9
In the second game of a two-game win streak for the Lady Cougars, the team took down Wilcox Academy 11-9 in the final game of the Patrician Academy Tournament March 1.
Morris allowed nine runs, four earned, on five hits in four innings. The games were on a 75-minute time limit for the tournament. Morris struck out five batters and walked two.
The Lady Cougars opened the scoring with four runs in the first inning. Wilcox tied the game with one run in the first and three in the second. EA took a 6-4 lead in the third inning, but Wilcox added five runs in the bottom of the third for a 9-6 lead.
EA fought back with five runs in the fourth and held Wilcox scoreless in the bottom of the inning for an 11-9 victory.
Freshman center fielder Taylor Helton led the charge, going 3-for-3 with one run scored and one RBI. McGhee was also 3-for-3 and scored two runs. Junior first baseman Sara Beth Davis went 2-for-2 with three runs scored and two RBIs. Rodriguez was 2-for-3 with one double and two runs scored.
Morris was 1-for-3 with one double and three RBIs. Sophomore catcher Jackie Perkins was 1-for-3 with one double and one run scored. Freshman Carlie Broughton went 1-for-1 with two RBIs. Senior Talerie Singleton scored two runs.
Lady Cougars 8 South Choctaw 5
In the second game in the loser's bracket March 1, the Lady Cougars took down South Choctaw Academy for their first win of the season, 8-5.
Morris allowed five runs, four earned, on one hit. She struck out three batters and walked one.
South Choctaw scored two runs in the first and two in the second to mount a 4-0 lead, but EA stormed back and scored all eight of their runs in the bottom of the second inning. South Choctaw added one run in the third inning.
"Everyone hit the ball in the third inning and we almost batted through our order twice," Payne said. "They came alive and everything was clicking."
Singleton was 3-for-3 with one double and two runs scored. Helton was 1-for-3 with one double, one run scored and two RBIs. McGhee was 2-for-3. Rodriguez went 1-for-3 with one run scored and one RBI.
Huskey was 2-for-3 with one run scored. Morris went 1-for-3 with one run scored and one RBI. Davis and Perkins each scored one run.
The Lady Cougars hosted Monroe Academy for a doubleheader Saturday and the results will be in an upcoming Advance. Next up for the team is a game against Evangel Christian Academy on the road. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m.