The Fort Dale Academy Eagles proved the old adage that it’s defense that wins championships regardless of the sport.

The Eagles managed to shut out their first round opponents, the Kingwood Christian Academy Lions, twice on Saturday by a margin of 9-0 and 10-0.

Fort Dale Academy head baseball coach Josh Beverly said it ultimately came down to the fundamentals.

“We didn’t make an error in 12 innings, and we probably average one or two a game,” Beverly said.

“We played really good defense, we didn’t walk and we just didn’t give up free bases; we tried to make the other team beat us.”

But there was also an abundance of offense from the Eagles, particularly in the third inning of the first game.

Chip Taylor drew a walk and loaded the bases early with only one out, and Blake Harris drew a second, leading to the Eagles’ first score of the day.

Kenny Harden followed with a booming hit to left-center field, racking up two RBIs in the process.

Drake Cabe started the fourth with a leadoff run, and the Fort Dale momentum put the game well out of reach.

Though Beverely was happy overall with his team’s performance on Saturday, he insists that there is still much work to be done.

This is doubly true considering Fort Dale’s next opponent, the formidable Pike Liberal Arts Patriots.

“We’ve still got to hit better,” Beverly added.

“We’ve been kind of inconsistent with that all year.  We always say that hitting sometimes is not always there, but you can always play good defense and those things can carry you.

“We’ve just got to get better at the plate, and we’re going to face a lot better pitching this coming up week with Pike.”

And while the Eagles aren’t the favorite in the round-two matchup, Beverley is doing all he can to prepare for the tough road ahead.

“We’re working defense really hard, and we’re going to a place that’s hard to play for opponents,” Beverly said.

“They play really well at home, and they know how to play at the park. They’re a really good team traditionally, and we’re probably the underdog, but I think we’re well-prepared to go play over there—better than we have been in the past—so we’re just going to go give it our best shot and see what happens.”

The Eagles will travel to Troy to face the Patriots in a series beginning on Thursday at 4 p.m., followed by a double-header on Friday at 4 p.m.