By JOSH FRYE
News Sportswriter
The Escambia County High varsity Blue Devils defeated Mattie T. Blount High School 10-5 in a heated, two-inning game last Thursday, February 27.
Nate Crenshaw was on the mound for ECHS during both innings, striking out four and giving up five runs.
Keon Malone scored two runs for the Blue Devils and led the team in batting with two hits and four stolen bases. Lebron Hooks went 2-for-2 with two hits, two runs and two stolen bases.
Lajavious Johnson also went 2-for-2 with one run scored, one walk and two stolen bases. Tiondre Forney went 1-for-1, stole two bases and scored a run, and Exavion Bradley went 1-for-2, stole two bases, walked once and scored one run.
Anthony McCants also scored a run for the Blue Devils and had two stolen bases, while Jacobey James walked once.
During the latter part of the second inning, tempers flared on the field, and a minor altercation between two players ended the contest early, and the Blue Devils walked away with their first win of the season.
“Altercations in athletics can and does happen anywhere,” ECHS head coach Scott Mason. “This was strictly a minor situation, and there is nothing to report. The situation that did occur was stopped promptly by the coaching staff and officials in the proper way. Our kids have taken great strides for their future and for the future of our school.”
Mason stressed that the ECHS staff is constantly proactive with the students and the students are reminded on a daily basis that it is a privilege to be part of sports and the team.
“The kids represent the school, community and their team,” Mason said. “We remind them of this on a constant basis and we teach them the meaning and importance of sportsmanship. We try to teach them to play the game in the right way.
“Sometimes not everyone is on the same page and not every kid is the same. It is a shame when something like this happens. The one bad apple stands out, but the other 99 kids who are doing the right thing do not get any credit.”
According to Mason, athletes are required to take sportsmanship tests through the AHSAA, and the subject of sportsmanship is drilled into the team philosophy.
The Blue Devils will travel to face the Blue Eagles of W.S. Neal on Tuesday, March 10 at 4 p.m.