CLINTON –Senior Nelson Vann’s 2-run single keyed a 5-run, 5th inning that rallied Clinton to a 6-2 Southeastern Athletic Conference baseball victory over West Bladen Wednesday night.
West Bladen, now 1-2 in SAC play and 5-9 overall, will host Midway Friday night. Clinton improved to 1-2 in the league and 9-3 overall and will visit Red Springs Friday night.
Knight freshman Ashton Davis carried a no-hitter and a 2-0 lead into the 5th inning, before Cooper Sessoms blooped a single to left, and Connor Tyner walked. Both runners advanced on a passed ball and both scored when Vann raked a single to left. Zyhan Wallace singled, before Peyton Moore cracked a 2-run single. Moore later scored on an error to put the Dark Horses up 5-2.
Tyner doubled and scored the final Clinton run on an error in the 6th inning.
Junior Garrett Dunham walked to start the Knight 4th inning but was retired on Davis’ fielder’s choice. Sophomore Hunter Hester and juniors Cade Allen and Allister Russ drew walks that forced home Jonah Bryan, the courtesy runner for Davis. Senior Jordan Hester knocked in Hunter Hester with a single to left that staked the Knights to the 2-0 lead.
Davis, Jordan Hester and junior Brady Durden collected 1 hit each for the Knights. Allister Russ and Jordan Hester drove in runs. Hunter Hester and Bryan scored runs.
Davis pitched 4-plus innings and allowed 4 runs on 3 hits and a walk while striking out 4. Brady Durden worked 2 innings of relief and allowed 2 unearned runs on 3 hits and struck out 2.
Vann and Moore’s 2-run singles led the Clinton hitters. Tyner doubled and scored twice. Wallace, Sessoms and Jaxson Smith added 1 hit each. Tyner pitched a complete-game 3-hitter, allowed 2 runs, walked 4 and struck out 4.
West Bladen 000 200 0 — 2-3-3
Clinton 000 051 x — 6-6-0
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