Eagles batting better than ever, coach says

Published 12:01 am Saturday, March 12, 2011

The Fort Dale Eagles are 5 and 2 after picking up two wins this week, defeating Escambia 11-0 and Eastwood 14-4.

Both matches saw a flurry of scoring early. The Eagles jumped out with 9 runs against Escambia and 5 runs against Eastwood, both in the first inning.

Coach Josh Beverly said that this team has got in a habit of scoring early.

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“It’s a good trait to have, but its not going to happen every game,” Beverly said. “We haven’t ever really done this since I’ve been here. If we keep hitting the baseball, we will be able to hang in there with anyone.”

The scoring has been a combined effort. Against Escambia, Brandon Matthews hit 3 for 3, with 2 RBIs.  Jonathon Scott and Hunter Armstrong both went 2 for 3, with 2 RBIs.

Skylar McKeown kept Escambia to only 2 hits for the night, striking out 5.

Cade Tillery was the stand-put against Eastwood, pitching 5 innings, striking out 8 and conceding no hits for the night. At the plate, he was just as hot, going 4 for 4, picking up two singles, a double and a home run.

McKeown went 1 for 2 with a solo home run and Eli Blackmon went 2 for 3 with2 doubles.

Despite not conceding any hits, Eastwood did manage to slip a few runs by, the majority coming off walks late in the fifth.

The Eagles played their first region game on Friday night, but scores were not available before press time.

Beverly said earlier on Friday that the game wasn’t a must-win scenario, but it would be an important one.

“We plan on having Hunter Armstrong throw, and he’s been consistently throwing strikes,” Beverly said. “Hopefully, will play a little better defense behind him than against Eastwood.”

But with 8 hitters in the Eagle lineup now batting over .455, Armstrong will already have good offensive support for the match.

“It’s a lot easier to pitch in a game when you have a nice lead,” Beverly said.