By JOSH FRYE
News Sportswriter
Escambia Academy’s varsity baseball team is quickly making a run toward the end of the 2021 baseball season after defeating Wilcox Academy, 12-11, last Tuesday, March 30, but falling against Lowndes Academy, 3-2, last Thursday, April 1.
Despite overcoming a six-run deficit and a hard-fought performance by Wilcox, the Cougars were able to hold back the Wildcat charges. Wilcox gained five runs in the failed fifth-inning comeback. Despite a strong, three-run start at the top of the first inning from the Wildcats, EA’s J.J. Stevens started things out during the bottom of the first, scoring as Landon Sims advanced to base after being hit by a pitch. The Cougars gained 4 other runs during the first and gained scores during every inning until the sixth, when Wilcox rallied and scored 5 runs in 2 innings. Despite the attempted comeback, EA dashed the Wildcats’ hope for a victory.
In all, the Cougars totaled 14 hits. Caleb Davis, Jacob Lee, Sims and Stevens all managed multiple hits. Stevens led with 3 hits in 4 at bats. Sims gained 2 stolen bases. As a team, the Cougars stole 10 bases and did not commit any errors. Lee had the most chances in field with 6.
Stevens gained the win on the mound, pitching over 5 of the 7 innings. Stevens gave up 10 hits, 7 runs and threw 4 strikeouts. Parker Robinson pitched 2 innings, giving up 3 hits and 4 runs.
During last Thursday’s win against EA, the Lowndes Rebels clinched a 3-2 victory late in the game. With the game tied at 2 each and Lowndes batting in the top of the fifth, a Rebels sac fly scored the winning run.
Caleb Davis took the loss on the mound for EA. Davis allowed 6 hits and 3 runs over 7 innings, struck out 2 batters and walked 5. Christian Crook led the Cougars at bat with 1 hit in 3 appearances. Crook and Lee were the only 2 scoring EA players.
According to EA head coach Mike Sims, Davis is hitting .365 and has 22 RBIs this season. Crook is hitting .308 and has stolen base 17 times. Landon Sims leads the team with 22 stolen bases and Randal Bonds leads the team in homeruns with 2.
According to Coach Sims, Tyler Ray, Sam Fields, Bonds and Lee have been making up a bulk of EA’s defense while Stevens, Robinson and Davis have been delivering quality pitching.
The Cougars will have the chance this week to make their entry into the AISA baseball state playoffs as they travel to square up against Wilcox Academy for the number two seed for playoffs Thursday, April 8.