BLADENBORO – Clinton exploded for 6 runs in the 5th inning to overcome a 5-0 West Bladen lead and defeat the Knights 9-5 Wednesday night in Southeastern Athletic Conference baseball action.
The Knights jumped in front with a 3-run, 1st inning. Junior Hunter Elks ripped a double into the left field corner to start the inning. Senior Brycen Blackmon drove in Elks with a 2-out single, and senior Josh Russ walked. Senior Alex Brisson legged out an infield hit, and walks to seniors Alex Strange and Bryley Williams forced home Blackmon and Russ.
West Bladen padded the lead to 5-0 in the 4th inning. Junior Bryce Fuller reached base on an error and raced home when senior Devon Strange blasted a triple to right field. Junior Hunter Smith lifted a sacrifice fly to left field that plated Devon Strange.
Manny Guerrero, Jaxson Smith, Dawson Smith and Alex Evans connected for singles during Clinton’s 6-run, 5th inning rally. Two walks and a trio of West Bladen errors aided the Dark Horse cause.
Dawson Smith doubled home an insurance run in the Clinton 6th inning, and Connor Tyner smashed a 2-run double in the seventh. Dawson Smith finished 2-for-4 with a double and a run batted in, and Jaxson Smith batted a perfect 2-for-2 for the Dark Horses.
Alex Strange batted 2-for-3 with a run batted in to lead the Knight hitters. Devon Strange finished 2-for-4 at the plate with a triple, an RBI and a run scored. Brisson also batted 2-for-4. Elks doubled and scored. Blackmon and Russ added 1 hit each. Blackmon, Russ and Fuller scored runs, and Hunter Smith, Blackmon and Williams had 1 RBI each.
Russ started on the hill and pitched 4.1 innings, allowing 6 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks while striking out four. Freshman Brady Durden pitched 1.2 innings of relief and gave up a run on a hit, a walk and a hit batter while striking out two. Freshman Garrett Dunham pitched 1 inning and gave up 2 runs on a hit, a hit batter and an error while striking out one.
The Knights, now 6-13, will travel to Clinton Friday night.
Clinton 000 061 2 -9-8-2
West Bladen 300 200 0 -5-9-5
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