After both having extra time off, the Escambia Gators and the Pine Forest Eagles will shake off the rust and duke it out at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
While Escambia didn't have the best season last year (they finished 9-13), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They were the clear victors by a 13-3 margin over Booker T. Washington last Friday. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Gators.
Abbie Freeman made a splash while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out 11 batters over five innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off three hits. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two runs, one triple, and two RBI.
Morgan Stancliff
| 03/14/25 vs Booker T. Washington | 2 |
| 02/18/25 @ Pensacola | 1 |
| 04/16/24 vs Pensacola | 1 |
| 04/15/24 @ L.E.A.D. Academy | 1 |
| 03/20/24 @ Booker T. Washington | 1 |
| 02/27/24 vs Booker T. Washington | 2 |
In other batting news, Escambia got a massive performance out of Morgan Stancliff, who went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, one triple, and two RBI. That's the most stolen bases Stancliff has posted since back in February of 2024. Another player making a difference was Allie Helton, who scored two runs and stole two bases while getting on base in all three of her plate appearances.
Escambia was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .480. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .364 or higher in four consecutive games.
Meanwhile, Pine Forest entered their tilt with Pensacola two weeks ago with two consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with three. They put the hurt on the Tigers with a sharp 17-7 victory. While the Eagles didn't have the best season last year (they finished 7-10), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past.
Jayonna Hillman spent all six innings played on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and six unearned) runs on seven hits.
On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Ranya Preyer, who went 3-for-4 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs. That home run was her first of the season. The team also got some help courtesy of Mary Brockett, who scored a run.
Pine Forest pushed their record up to 6-2 with the win, which was their third straight on the road. A key ingredient in that success has been their performance when it comes to hits: they averaged an imposing 8.67 hits in those games compared to only 5.4 in the others. As for Escambia, their record is now 6-4.
Tuesday's match will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Escambia hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .437. However, it's not like Pine Forest struggles in that department as they've averaged .323. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Escambia was able to grind out a solid victory over Pine Forest when the teams last played back in April of 2024, winning 6-3. Does Escambia have another victory up their sleeve, or will Pine Forest turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
