The 2025 season has had a tumultuous start, to say the least, for the East Marion Eagles. The season started multiple weeks late due to unforeseen circumstances within the program, and the team started out winless. While the team still has a long way to go, the Eagles’ 16-3 win at Jefferson Davis County Monday evening brought a much needed thrill of victory to East Marion.
The contest opened with a leadoff single by Jaquez Hathorn, but he was thrown out while trying to steal second base. Trace McNeese then ripped a single to right field, and Shamar Akins tripled to push across the first run of the night.
With McNeese on the mound, the Jaguars took the lead on a passed ball, an RBI groundout and an RBI triple to go up 3-1, but the Eagles (1-6) soon claimed control. Bentley Blansett replaced McNeese on the mound in the second inning, and the eighth-grader bulldozed through JDC’s lineup by delivering an 11-strikeout hitless performance across four innings of work. This allowed the Eagle offense to take advantage of free passes given up by JDC, leading to a lot of runs.
In total, the Jaguars dished out 17 free bases in the form of walks and hit batsmen. In the second inning, the Eagles pulled within a run after Elias Johnson stole home. Then in the third inning, East Marion took a lead it wouldn’t relinquish. Ayden Lewis stole home to tie the game, and Akins put the Eagles on top 4-3 with another RBI triple. Johnson then stole home for another run before Akins scored on a double put in play by Kaiden Nelson.
Lewis, Akins and Larry Thompson each scored in the fourth inning. Then in the fifth inning, East Marion scored seven runs after JDC pitching failed to find the strike zone with all seven runs coming on either bases-loaded hit batsmen, bases-loaded walks or wild pitches.
Monday’s win was needed after losses to Enterprise (16-1, 13-2) Friday and at Perry Central 14-4 Saturday.
The Eagles now enjoy a week off in between games as they travel to Lumberton March 18 before hosting the Panthers March 20 in their home opener.
