By By BRUCE HIXON – Sports Editor
Josh Carter only had eight at-bats for the W.S. Neal Blue Eagles this season prior to Monday's game at Escambia County. Based on what Carter did to the Blue Devils, he may soon be in line for a lot more.
Carter blasted two homeruns, had three hits overall, drove in four runs, and scored four runs to lead the Blue Eagles to a 15-11 road win Monday.
Carter hit both of his homeruns in an eight-run second inning that snapped what had been a 1-1 tie. Carter began the explosion with a solo homerun. After the next two Blue Eagles were retired, W.S. Neal scored seven more runs. That string included a triple by Justin Smith, an RBI single by Spencer Williamson, an RBI double by Jared Cooper, an RBI single by Whitney Qualls, and Carter's second homer of the inning, a three-run shot, that made it 9-1.
The Blue Eagles took their biggest lead of the game in the top of the fifth inning when Jimmy Jones' RBI single extended the lead to 11-2.
While W.S. Neal's offense did not let up from there, Escambia County's offense came alive in the bottom of the fifth where it scored six runs and pulled within 11-8.
A two-run homer by Jake Smith in the top of the sixth and Justin Smith lined a two-run single in the top of the seventh that knocked the lead up to 15-8.
The Blue Eagles needed some of that extra insurance. After Qualls went the first five innings and eventually got the win, reliever Justin Smith was tagged for three runs in the
bottom of the seventh that brought the final margin down to 15-11.
Carter was not the lone W.S. Neal player to pick up three hits, as Justin Smith also collected three hits to go along with two RBIs. Cooper had a pair of hits and two RBIs, while Williamson had two hits and drove in one run.
The Blue Eagles, who played at Monroe County Tuesday, host Straughn Friday at 4 p.m. in a Class 3A Area 1 battle. A junior varsity game will follow the varsity contest.
At Escambia County
W.S. Neal 180 112 2 – 15 14 3
Escambia C. 101 060 3 – 11 13 4