Dylan Nichols is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover ALA Gilbert North for AZPreps365.com

The ALA Gilbert North Eagles are enjoying a fantastic start to their 2022 campaign beating the Payson Longhorns 15-0 in 4 ½ innings on Wednesday. The Eagles have started the regular season 2-0 winning both games by a combined score 31-1.

“It was a great all around performance,” said Eagles head coach Brett Brewer. “We’d like the games to be more competitive to help keep everyone focused.”

The game was never in doubt for the Eagles. It was 6-0 after the second inning and continued to get worse for the Longhorns. 

The Eagle offense wasn’t explosive by any means, but they were overwhelmingly patient, and consistently took advantage of Payson’s pitching and fielding miscues. The Eagles scored 15 runs on10 hits while drawing seven walks as well. They also caused plenty of problems on the basepaths with senior Spencer Nielson stealing four bases to bring their total on the night to eight.

The Eagles starting lineup hit well from top to bottom. Sophomore Boston Morris led the way going 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Every member of the starting nine reached base while only two starters didn’t record a hit.

As for the Eagle’s pitching, senior Dawson Morris made his first appearance of the season and pitched a gem, going all five innings giving up just one hit and six strikeouts. Morris effectively used his arsenal generating a lot of swings and misses as he effectively utilized his breaking stuff off his fastball.

“Felt like the whole team did good tonight. Good way to start the year,” said Morris who also went 1 for 4 and came around to score twice.

The season is young, but a hot start has the Eagles confident going forward. Many of the players and coaches feel like there’s unfinished business after last year’s loss in the 3A quarterfinals.

“We gotta take each game one game at a time,” said Brewer. “This is a good group and they’re talented enough to get there. We just gotta keep them focused.” 

Brewer had mentioned how the Eagles want some competitive games. They will certainly get that opportunity as they have strong 3A teams coming up on their schedule like the 2021 runner-ups Odyssey Institute as well as Gilbert Christian and Benjamin Franklin High School who both had strong 2021 seasons.

As for their next opponent, the Eagles will take on the Coolidge Bears at ALA Gilbert North on March 8 at 3:45 p.m.