By By Tim Cottrell
The Escambia Academy Lady Cougars continued their winning ways Thursday with a 5-2 win over area foe Clarke Prep.
Lady Cougar skipper Darrell Jackson said the win felt good, but there was always room for improvement.
"We didn't play as well as we're capable of, but a win is a win and I'll take it," Jackson said.
Stacey Gibbs tallied another win at pitcher, upping her record to 8-2 as a starter this season. She went the distance in the game, allowing only three hits and striking out seven.
The Lady Cougars scattered hits around, with Meagan Jackson, Rachel Ellis, Keisha Lee, Lori Bonds, and Gibbs all tallying base hits. Jackson's base hit was a triple, and she knocked in one run. Bonds also added an RBI.
The win clinched the area crown for the Lady Cougars, with all other teams in the area having at least three losses in area play. Even if EA (10-3) is swept by Sparta Academy the next two weeks, the Lady Cougars will still be area champs.
Coach Jackson was elated to have the burden of fighting for the area crown off his back.
"I don't think there's anybody we can't play with," Jackson said. "We're not going to take it easy now, either. We're still going to work, but now we can just relax and play."
The Lady Cougars squared off against Fort Dale Academy, a team they defeated 28-0 earlier this season, Saturday morning. The game was incomplete at press time.
Jay 6
Northview 4
A hot streak was snapped Thursday when the Lady Chiefs of Northview traveled to Jay to take on the Lady Royals.
Stats were not available for this game, as Northview head coach Sammy Day was unavailable Friday.
Assistant coach Keri Payne said the team had scattered nine hits on the day.
"We were sluggish," Payne said.
Cassie Godwin took the loss at pitcher for Northview (9-6).
Northview 17
Woodham 0
The Lady Chiefs made the trip to Pensacola worthwhile Tuesday by crushing the Lady Titans of Woodham.
Pitcher Cassie Godwin tossed her second no-hitter in as many weeks, as the Lady Chiefs improved to 9-5 on the season.
The Lady Chiefs pounded Woodham for 18 hits on the day.
J.U. Blacksher 7
ECHS 2
The Lady Devils of Escambia County hosted J.U. Blacksher Tuesday looking to avenge a 5-1 loss from the previous week.
After trailing 3-0 throughout most of the game, ECHS pulled to within one run in the fifth. It was as close as they would get.
Morgan Marsh took the loss at pitcher.
The Lady Devils next face the Lady Tigers of T.R. Miller Tuesday afternoon in Brewton.