By By Matthew Nascone
A pair of one-run wins put the Escambia Academy Lady Cougars on a two-game winning streak for the second time this season.
Eighth grader Niki Bryan crossed the plate for the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning against Cottage Hill March 13 following a base hit by freshman Tori Rodriguez. Bryan was 2-for-3 in the game with one run scored, two walks and two stolen bases.
"Errors hurt us in the game, but we pulled it out in the seventh," EA head coach Keri Payne said.
The Lady Cougars (5-9, 1-0 AISA Class AA, Area 1) scored two runs in the first and two in the second for a 4-0 lead, but Cottage Hill stormed back with two runs in the third and two in the fourth to tie the game at 4-4.
EA scored one in the bottom of the inning, but the Lady Warriors scored one in the fifth inning. Cottage Hill took a 7-5 lead in the seventh, but EA rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh for the win.
Freshman Taylor Helton went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple, three runs scored, two RBIs, one stolen base and one walk. Malori McGhee was 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, two walks and one run scored. Freshman Amber Huskey was 1-for-2 with one RBI, two stolen bases and two walks.
Sophomore Jennifer Morris (5-8) grabbed the win on the mound, allowing seven runs, three earned, on three hits. She struck out three batters and walked three.
Lady Cougars 5 Wilcox 4
In the opening area game of the season, the Lady Cougars broke a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the seventh inning for a 5-4 win.
Morris reached on a single and stole second base. Bryan played the role of run producer in this game, knocking in Morris with the game-winning hit.
"Errors and walks in the last couple of innings hurt us, but in the seventh we won it," Payne said.
EA scored one in the second and two in the third, but Wilcox scored two in the fifth and two in the sixth to grab a 4-3 lead. The Lady Cougars tied the game in the sixth and won it in the seventh.
McGhee was 1-for-3 with one RBI and one walk. Morris was 1-for-1 with two runs scored, three stolen bases and three walks. Bryan was 1-for-3 with one run scored, one RBI, two stolen bases and one walk.
Morris allowed four runs, no earned, on two hits, struck out eight batters and walked three for the win.
Monroe 15 Lady Cougars 10
In a slugfest, the Monroe Academy Lady Volunteers protected their home diamond 15-10 against the Lady Cougars Monday night.
Helton was 4-for-5 with two runs and one RBI. Morris was 2-for-4 with two doubles, one run scored and two RBIs. Bryan was 2-for-4 with one run scored and one RBI. Junior Sara Beth Davis was 1-for-4 with one double, one run scored and one walk.
The Lady Cougars hosted the Lady Chiefs in the first round of the Border War Tuesday and the results will be in an upcoming Advance. Up next for the Lady Cougars is a game tomorrow against Southern Academy beginning at 3:30 p.m.