The East Marion Eagles (3-1) kicked off their season a little late with basketball bleeding into the expected schedule, but they have wasted no time starting hot out of the gate.
The Eagles outscored the opposition 42-17 in their first four games and stole an eye-popping 44 bases with Devin Daniels stealing 15 on his own.
After kicking off the season with an 11-1 win over Mount Olive on the road March 6, the Eagles beat the Pirates 14-4 in road rematch last Thursday.
Vashon Sims led the Eagles with a 3-for-3 showing with 4 RBI and three steals, and Daniels had three singles, four steals and drove in two runs. JaQuarius Jones and Joseph Lefebvre each drove in two runs, and the Eagles drew seven walks as a team. Daniels picked up the win on the bump, pitching five innings and allowing four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out seven.
East Marion took the short trip to Tylertown for a doubleheader with the Chiefs and had five innings in which it scored at least two runs in the first game, winning 14-4.
Jones had a double, two singles and 3 RBI to pace the Eagles at the plate, while Sims once again had 4 RBI with a triple and a single. Lefebvre drove in three runs with a double and a single, and Robert Rayford connected for a base knock. Sims got the nod on the mound and picked up the win, allowing four runs on five hits and five walks while striking out five. Jones closed the door late with two scoreless innings.
In the second half of the doubleheader, Tylertown jumped out to an early 6-1 lead through three innings and never looked back, defeating East Marion 8-3.
Daniels put on a show, however, with a perfect 4-for-4 games with an RBI and five stolen bases. Sims was the only other East Marion player with a hit, smoking two doubles and a single and driving in two runs. Lefebvre took the loss and allowed eight runs on seven hits and four walks over 6 1/3 innings and struck out seven.
The Eagles hosted Lumberton in their district opener Tuesday night, but results were unavailable at press time. They will play Lumberton again Friday night on the road at 7, then take on Jefferson Davis County in Bassfield Saturday morning at 11.
Head coach Mandell Echols could not be reached for comment.
Pictured Above: East Marion's Devin Daniels attempts to pick off a runner off first base. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
