By By Chandler Myers
With a tie game, no outs and a man on first base in the bottom of the seventh, the Escambia County Blue Devils were in a position to pick up their fourth consecutive win.
Two stolen bases later followed by a game-winning single to win 4-3 over the Excel Tigers, the Blue Devils (8-14, 3-3) coached by Jason Barnett were back in a position to finish their season strong.
Barnett said that the win was the most fun he had all season.
The star of the game proved himself throughout the game stealing four bases and scoring the tying and winning runs.
Junior shortstop Marshall “Chick” Rolin reached base in the fifth inning and immediately stole second and got on to third on a swing around the tag slide that put him into a position to help the Blue Devils tie the game at three.
With Rolin sitting on third, junior first baseman Tyler Boatwright stepped to the plate and ripped a pitch into right field to get his teammate home.
Up until that point of the game, the teams had been clawing back-and-forth with neither team gaining much momentum.
The game was tied at one until the Tigers were able to get two men across the plate in the top of the fourth inning.
Once Blue Devils centerfielder Douglas Oliver scored in the bottom of the fourth and Rolin tied the game in the fifth, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that the Blue Devils were going to win, according to their coach.
Barnett said once they tied the game he knew his team would come out on top.
Barnett’s hunch proved to be correct as pitcher Justin Stabler and the Blue Devils’ defense put down three straight Tigers batters to get to bottom of the inning.
With Rolin reaching base as the leadoff man, he decisively stole second base and followed that up with another dash to third base.
As Blue Devils rightfielder Devante Brown stood at the plate Rolin increased his lead and watched as Brown sent a pitch past the second baseman into right field getting Rolin home and letting the celebration begin.
Barnett said for the first time his team showed a look of confidence. He added that having Rolin on the basepath really helped the Blue Devils.
With the victory now behind them, the Blue Devils will look to take their winning streak and confidence into their weekend matchup against the Gulf Shores Dolphins.
Barnett said going into the series with a win streak is a great feeling.
The Blue Devils face the Dolphins in Gulf Shores Friday with the doubleheader beginning at 4:30 p.m. On Saturday, the Dolphins make the trip to Atmore with the game beginning at 4 p.m.