By JOSH FRYE
News Sportswriter
Escambia County High’s baseball team continued to struggle for its first win after being shut down by T.R. Miller on March 5 in a double-header. The Tigers took the first game of the series with a 15-0 shutout against the Blue Devils.
ECHS’s Hasten Dean, who gave up 13 runs on 11 hits in two innings, started on the mound. He struck out one batter and walked two. Lajavious Johnson closed the game for the Blue Devils. He struck out two, gave up two runs on one hit and walked four batters. Michael Merchant and Anthony McCants each went 1-for-3 to lead the team in batting.
During the nightcap, the Tigers defeated ECHS, 12-1. Johnson got the start for the Blue Devils and pitched two innings, striking out three and giving up nine runs on five hits. Jacorian King relived Johnson and pitched one inning, striking out two batters, walking one and giving up a run on one hit.
Lebron Hooks closed out the game, striking out one and allowing no runs or hits. Merchant was the only Blue Devil to score during the two-game series, crossing the plate on a passed ball by the catcher.
“Our pitching and infield showed great improvement from our last game,” ECHS head coach Roland Hall said. “We have had a number of errors over the past two games and that has left our pitchers on the mound longer than we would have liked.”
Hall explained that the Blue Devils will be adjusting the lineup over the next few games to help find solid players in the outfield that can aid in backing up the pitching effort.
ECHS, now 0-7, will play at Williamson High this Thursday, March 11.