By JOSH FRYE
News Sportswriter
The Escambia County High School Blue Devils ended the 2020-2021 baseball season with 2, back-to-back losses against Monroe County High School during double-header action last Tuesday, April 20.
ECHS fell 15-1, during the first game of the matchup against the Tigers. Monroe County came out swinging during the first inning, scoring 3 runs. The Blue Devils’ only run gained came in the second inning when Exavion Bradley scored when he stole home plate. Despite the second-inning effort, the Tigers closed out, scoring 12 more runs. Lebron Willis gained the loss on the mound for ECHS, pitching 20 pitches in just over 1 inning. Willis surrendered 3 hits, 3 runs and walked 1batter.
During the second game of the matchup, the Blue Devils attempted to rally early, but were cut short against Monroe County, 17-13. ECHS scored 1 run early in the first inning when Anthony McCants stole home, but the Tigers took back control, scoring 4 runs in the bottom of the first. MCHS continued to beat up on the Blue Devils during the second and third innings, scoring another 8 runs. During the fourth and fifth innings, ECHS begin to rally a comeback, scoring 8 runs. Despite the strong effort put forth by the young Blue Devils team, ECHS was not able to hold back a strong Tigers offense.
Hasten Dean went 3-for-3 at the plate for ECHS and tallied 1 run. Lebron Hooks, McCants, Jacori Dortch and Quayon McCants added 2 runs each. Lajavious Johnson led the Blue Devils in scoring with 3 runs.
Hasten Dean took the loss on the hill for the Blue Devils. Dean has thrown 129 pitches this season and gained 78 strikes. He pitched 6 innings, surrendering 14 runs on 14 hits, struck out 6 batters and walked 3. The Blue Devils collected 8 hits against the Tigers, while MCHS collected 14.
McCants stole base 5 times and the Blue Devils were solid in field with no errors. Despite the loss, ECHS head coach Roland Hall expressed how proud he was of this year’s team and for the accomplishments and improvements that have been made. The Blue Devils look to build on the experience created this season and hope to be a major contender next year for a state title.