By By Chandler Myers
James Dean picked up his first win of the season Tuesday as the Escambia Academy Cougars swept their doubleheader against the visiting Southern Academy Cougars at their home field in Canoe.
Dean (1-0) came in relief of Brandon Goens (0-0) in the fourth inning and allowed four runs, while striking out four batters and walking four.
Goens started the game giving up five runs through the third inning, while walking six batters. He recorded one strikeout.
The two Cougar programs battled back-and-forth through much of the game with the Southern Cougars pulling ahead twice. First, they jumped ahead 3-0 in the second inning, and heading into the bottom of the seventh, Southern led 9-7.
With his team being three outs from its first loss, first-year Cougars coach Josh Daugett instead witnessed his team rally for a five-run seventh inning and an important win.
Daugett said he was proud of the way his team stayed in the game.
Offensively, the Cougars were led in runs-batted-in by Ryan Linam, Cameron McGhee and Hunter Bates with each player recording two RBI.
James Dean led the team with four hits in the game, while picking up one RBI.
Linam also went 2-for-3 in the game, while Jon Dean and James White each went 2-for-4.
Escambia 6
Southern 1
The Cougars of Canoe opened the 2010 baseball season with an opening day region win over the Southern Cougars.
Leading the Cougars (1-0, 1-0) in the win were James Dean and Jarret Hadley. James Dean hit 2-for-3 with one RBI and a double, while Hadley hit 2-for-3 with an RBI.
On the mound Keaton Maher led the Cougars pitching a complete game of seven innings with six strikeouts and walking three batters.
First-year head coach Josh Daugett said his team did a good job keeping the lead.