The Fort Dale baseball team opened the season with high expectations before them.

Last Saturday, March 4, the Eagles flexed their muscles as FDA went 3-0 at the New Life Academy Tournament in Millbrook.

Behind the commanding pitching performances of seniors Marshall Watts, Todd Nicholas and junior Stephen Sorrells, the Eagles just allowed 5 runs in the three games.

In the opening game of the season against Autauga Academy, the FDA bats were busy as the Eagles scored 13 runs.

Nicholas had a field day on the pitching mound as the Mississippi State-bound senior recorded 10 strikeouts and just allowed one hit.

He worked four innings for the win.

At the plate, Nicholas went two of three with a home run and a single. Watts also highlighted the game by hitting a home run in the 13-3 win. Going three for four, Watts added a single and a double for the books.

Junior Bill Cates joined the hit parade as he hit a home run as well.

Junior infielder John Wright also went two of three with a couple of singles on the day.

In FDA's next game, Sorrells held Oak Park Academy to just one run in a 6-1 win.

Sorrells recorded nine strikeouts and allowed five hit. From behind the plate, Nicholas, playing first base, went four-for-four in the game with three singles and one double. Senior infielder Josh Smith scored two hits while Watts went two of three for the day.

In the last game of the tournament for the Eagles, Watts stunned the home crowd as he struck out 17 New Life Academy

batters in a 4-1 win.

Watts, the Auburn bound senior, only allowed three hits in seven innings of work. From the plate, he hit two doubles. Teammate Josh smith went two of three with a single and a double.

Senior catcher Justin Holt joined

the action with two hits, including a double.

The Eagles will play Morgan Academy on March 10 in Greenville.