By By Tim Cottrell
The Lady Cougars of Escambia Academy traveled to Mobile Tuesday looking for revenge.
Mobile Christian had defeated the Lady Cougars 11-0 earlier in the season, and EA had payback on its mind.
The Lady Cougars fell just short, losing 1-0 after allowing the only run of the game to be unearned.
"Every time we got something going there seemed to be two outs," Lady Cougars coach Darrell Jackson said. "We just never could get the runs in. Lori Bonds had a triple with one out one inning, and my pitcher Stacey Gibbs came to the plate and we were going to squeeze her in. She caught half the ball and the first baseman made a diving stop and they got a double-play. That was the best chance we got."
Gibbs was the losing pitcher in the affair, pitching six innings, allowing five hits, striking out five, and walking one. She gave up no earned runs.
Leading hitters for the Lady Cougars were Bonds, who hit 2-for-3 with a triple and Meagan Jackson, who batted 2-for-3 with a double.
Jackson said his team gained confidence throughout the game.
"You could just see the tempo of the game change when the girls realized they weren't unbeatable," Jackson said. "They were more aggressive at the plate and played outstanding defense. I have to compliment Courtney Smith. She did a great job in centerfield. Stacey (Gibbs) did a great job pitching for us, too."
Jackson said the game was as competitive as any he had seen.
"It was quite a pitcher's duel," Jackson said. "We out-hit them, which was a far cry from the last time we played. We only struck out four times. Quality of play-wise, and competitive-wise, this was one of the better games I've ever been a part of."
UMS-Wright 11
ECHS 1
The Lady Devils also made the trip down I-65 to Mobile Tuesday afternoon to take on the Lady Bulldogs of UMS-Wright. It was a long ride back home.
The Lady Bulldogs took it to ECHS all afternoon long, finishing with an 11-1 win.
"It wasn't a very good showing on our part," Lady Devil coach Jeff Haney said. "No one really stood out or played very well. We're going to get back to work on some things."