BLADENBORO – West Bladen fought back from an 11-0 deficit to within 11-9 and had the bases loaded when the last out was recorded Friday night as West Columbus escaped with a Junior American Legion baseball victory.
West Columbus capitalized on 9 hits and 10 walks to score 11 runs in the 1st 4 innings. Jahan Powell, Jake Odham, Drake Grainger and Matthew Hannah connected for 2 hits each to lead the Viking hitters. Hannah doubled twice, and Tyler Thompson tripled. Odham, Grainger and Cole Edge drove in 2 runs each.
Cade Allen and Jordan Hester drew walks to start the West Bladen 5th inning. Josh Dawson dumped a single over shortstop to score Allen. Jackson Smith lined a single to centerfield that scored Hester and whittled the margin to 11-2.
Caison Brixey was hit by a pitch to begin the Knight 6th inning. Brady Durden smoked a single through the left side, and Allen reached base on an error that scored Brixey. Hester ripped a single to right that scored Brady Durden. Weston Hilburn walked, and Allen dashed home on a passed ball. Aiden Russ was hit by a pitch, and Smith drilled a single to right that scored Hester and Hilburn and trimmed the lead to 11-7.
Brady Durden and Allen were hit by pitches to begin the 7th inning, and Hester reached base on an error. Russ and Dawson drew walks that forced home Brady Durden and Allen and sliced the lead to 11-9, but a fly-out ended the game.
Smith batted 2-for-5 with 3 RBIs to lead the Knights. Brady Durden, Allen, Hester, Dawson and Will Durden collected 1 hit each. Dawson had 2 RBIs, and Russ, Hester and Allen had 1 RBI each. Allen scored 3 runs, and Hester and Brady Durden scored 2 runs each. Hilburn and Brixey also scored runs.
Allen started for WB and pitched 2 innings allowing 3 runs – 2 earned – on 4 hits and 3 walks while striking out 2. Brady Durden worked 3.2 innings of relief and allowed a run on 2 hits and 3 walks while striking out 4. Tyler Lewis, Brixey and Russ also saw time on the mound for the Knights.
Brycen Edwards started and pitched 3 scoreless innings for West Columbus. Josh Harrison worked a scoreless 4th inning to pick up the win.
West Bladen, now 1-3, is slated to travel to Lumberton Monday night.
West Columbus 122 600 0 — 11-9-4
West Bladen 000 025 2 — 9-7-1
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