ST PAULS – St. Pauls scored 18 runs in the first 2 innings en route to a 19-4 non-conference season-opening baseball victory over West Bladen Tuesday night.
The Bulldogs bunched 4 hits, 3 walks and an error to score 6 runs in the opening inning then capitalized on 8 walks, 2 errors, 2 hit batters and 2 hits to score 12 runs in the 2nd inning.
Hunter Smith smashed a 2-out double to center field in the Knight 1st inning and raced home as Bryley Williams reached base on an error.
The Knights added 2 runs in the 3rd inning. Devon Strange walked, and Alex Brisson lined a single to right. Williams ripped a double to left that scored both Strange and Brisson.
Strange reached base on an error to begin the West Bladen 5th inning, stole 2 bases and raced home when Hunter Smith cracked a single.
Hunter Smith batted 2-for-3 with a double, a run batted in and a run scored to lead the Knight hitters. Williams connected for the 2-run double. Brisson and Kendall Johnson belted singles for West Bladen. Strange scored twice and Brisson scored a run.
Will Brooks batted 3-for-3 with a double and drove in 5 runs for the Bulldogs. Teammate Isaac Garner finished 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and 2 RBIs.
Steve Smith pitched all 5 innings for St. Pauls and struck out 7 batters. Strange, Josh Russ, Kaiden Stanley, Hunter Smith, Michael Young and Bryce Fuller all saw action on the mound for West Bladen. Hunter Smith and Young struck out 3 batters each.
West Bladen will host East Columbus Thursday at 7 p.m.
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