By JOSH FRYE
News Sportswriter
After struggling to gain a win earlier this season, Escambia County High School’s baseball team finally dug themselves out of a dark, winless hole to gain some light just under 2 weeks ago.
On March 17, the Blue Devils not only ended the winless drought, but also gained a second-place position within the AHSAA Class 4A, Region 1 standings. Last week however, found a different story for ECHS as they fell to Straughn, 17-8, last Friday.
The Tigers made early work of the ECHS Blue Devils, scoring 3 runs during the first inning and 1 during the second. ECHS bats finally came to life during the third inning as the Blue Devils scored 4 runs. Three more runs were scored by the home team during the fourth and 1 run was scored in the fifth inning, but Straughn was able to overpower ECHS in the batter’s box and registered 20 hits and no errors. The Blue Devils tallied 8 runs on five hits with one error committed.
Jamarion Robinson led ECHS at the plate with 2 runs. Hasten Dean, Anthony McCants, JaCorie Nickson, Lajavious Johnson and Lebron Hooks all gained 1 run each. Robinson registered the loss on the mound for the Blue Devils, striking out 5 batters and allowed 17 runs on 20 hits.
Earlier last week on March 18, ECHS also lost 10-0 and 20-2, against W.S. Neal High School in double-header action. Jacarion King took the loss on the mound for the Blue Devils during the 10-0 loss, surrendering 10 runs on 14 hits over 5 innings, striking out 2 batters and walking 1. Johnson went 1-for-2 at the plate, leading ECHS in hits.
During the second game, a 20-2 defeat, the Neal Blue Eagles made early work of the Blue Devils. Johnson and Robinson collected the only scoring runs for ECHS. Hooks made the most plays with 4, and McCants totaled 4 stolen bases. W.S. Neal gained 20 hits and 23 stolen bases.
With the week’s losses, the Blue Devils are now 4-12 overall with a 4-2 region record.
“We have come a long way in a short amount of time,” ECHS head coach Roland Hall said. “Despite what the record reads, we are hitting the goals that we have set for our team. We are seeing constant improvement every game and we are looking forward to our contest this week.”
The Blue Devils host Leflore this Wednesday, March 24.