By By BRUCE HIXON Sports Editor
It was originally scored an error in the W.S. Neal scorebook. It was later changed to a hit by Blue Eagles coach Coy Campbell.
That "change" cost W.S. Neal hurler Cody Anthony a no-hitter, who instead had to settle for a one-hitter in the Blue Eagles' 10-0 six-inning win at J.F. Shields. Anthony fanned 10 and walked just two in his masterpiece.
"The play that was scored an error was a hit," Campbell said. "No-hitter or one-hitter, Cody was outstanding."
The Blue Eagles had a modest although respectable seven hits in the game. However, they benefitted greatly from four walks and four hit batsmen.
Five of those free passes came in a five-run third inning that broke up what had been a scoreless game. There were two key hits by the Blue Eagles which were RBI singles by Spencer Williamson and Jared Cooper.
Cooper, Williamson and Deric Smith contributed RBI singles in the fourth inning when W.S. Neal tacked on four more runs to its lead to make it 9-0.
Deric Smith provided a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning
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that plated Cory Freeman to kick the 10-run rule into effect.
W.S. Neal used another splendid pitching performance, this one from Daniel Hodge, to win at Flomaton Saturday 2-1.
The Blue Eagles scratched out a run in the top of the first inning when Justin Smith walked, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch on a strikeout and then stole home.
Flomaton got that run back in the fifth inning, but W.S. Neal scored what proved to be the winning run in the top of the seventh inning.
Williamson drew a one-out walk and Brandon Douglas singled. Another single, this one by Deric Smith, brought in Williamson with the go-ahead run.
Hodge allowed just two hits in six and one-third innings. However, a walk and a one-out single ended his day on the mound.
Campbell brought in Chad McCall to close the door, but McCall walked the first ball he faced to load the bases. McCall quickly found his groove and struck out the next two batters to save the win.
"We've really had some outstanding pitching lately. Our offense has cooled off, but we've still found other ways to score some runs," Campbell said.
The Blue Eagles (11-3), who played at T.R. Miller Tuesday, travel to Flomaton Thursday. Play gets underway at 4 p.m. with the junior varsity game.
Saturday's game
W.S. Neal 100 000 1 – 2 5 1
Flomaton 000 010 0 – 1 2 1
Monday's game
W.S. Neal 005 401 – 10 7 0
J.F. Shields 000 000 – 0 1 2