Eagles

By Griffin Pritchard

Sometimes, season openers don't go according to plan.

Just ask the Fort Dale Lady Eagles.

Monday afternoon they played the first softball game of the season against Escambia Academy.

Four innings later, the score was eerily reminiscent of a Fort Dale football game.

The Lady Eagles were mercied 28-0 by the Lady Cougars. But, lack of practice time could have had something to do with that tally for Fort Dale.

According to coach Scarlett McNaughton, Fort Dale's coach, the Lady Eagles were only able to practice a limited number of days during the past two weeks because of rain and the condition of the fields following rain.

Despite the lopsided score, they Lady Eagles did produce some bright spots.

Hope Stanford recorded a double and then Jessica Huttell recorded a pair of hits in the game.

"I think our girls played hard," said McNaughton.

For the Lady Cougars, Megan Jackson proved to have the big bat, going 5-for-5 with one home run, two triples and two singles. She also touched home plate four times and knocked in 10 runs.

Keisha Lee, Raylene Miller, Jamie Drew and Lori Bonds also were productive at the plate, going 3-for-5 on the day.

With their first game behind them, the Lady Eagles will now turn their attention to Saturday's game against Faith.

The Lady Eagles and the Lady Rams will square off in a double header slated to start at 10 a.m. According to McNaughton, Stephanie Hood will get the nod against Faith.

"I think she's got the speed and ability to match-up with Faith," said McNaughton.

Hood, who has never started a game from the pitching rubber, will look to pick up the Lady Eagles first win of the season and put them one step closer to improving on last season's record.

First pitch for Saturday's twinbill is slated for 10 a.m.