FAIRMONT – Senior Evan Pait blasted a 3-run home run that capped a 6-run 7th inning and propelled East Bladen to a 10-4 Southeastern Athletic Conference baseball victory over Fairmont Thursday night.
The Golden Tornadoes had plated 3 runs in the 6th inning to rally back from a 4-0 deficit and tie the game 4-4. Junior Lee Barnes began the Eagle rally with an infield hit, and senior Weston Hatcher laced a single to left field. Senior Garrison Tatum belted a single off the pitcher to load the bases.
Barnes was retired on a pickoff play, but one out later junior Tyler Johnson ripped a double to left that scored Hatcher and Garrison Tatum with the go-ahead runs. Senior Marlan Davis beat out a single, before Pait walloped his homer to left. Senior Zamar Lewis drilled a double to left, stole 3rd base and scored when senior Ty Mathis raked a single to left.
Junior Jake Futrell, who went the distance on the mound for the Eagles, retired the Tornadoes 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 7th to end the game. Futrell allowed 4 runs – 3 earned – on 7 hits and 3 walks while striking out 5.
Pait batted 2-for-4 with the home run, 3 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Davis was 3-for-5 at the plate and scored a run. Lewis finished 2-for-4 at the plate with a double, an RBI and 3 runs scored. Hatcher batted 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Garrison Tatum was also 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
Johnson smashed the key 2-run, 2-out double and scored a run. Mathis delivered an RBI single, and Barnes singled, scored a run and had an RBI.
Barnes was hit by a pitch in the 2nd inning. Hatcher yanked a single past shortstop, and Garrison Tatum lined a single to center field that scored Barnes with the game’s 1st run.
The Eagles tacked on 2 more runs in the 3rd. Davis led off with a single to center, Pait walked and Lewis swatted a single to center field. Mathis’ grounder forced Davis at the plate, but Barnes was hit by a pitch that forced home Pait. Hatcher’s fielder’s choice plated Lewis for a 3-0 East lead.
Lewis was hit by a pitch to start the Eagle 5th inning, stole 2nd base, advanced on a fielder’s choice and raced home on a passed ball to push the lead to 4-0.
Singles by Noah Parker, Kenley Callahan, and Stanley Scott loaded the bases in the Fairmont 5th. Josiah Williams fielder’s choice scored Parker.
Mynkoda Smith singled and Parker Chavis reached base on an error that scored Smith to start the Tornado 6th inning. Roderick Deese’s fielder’s choice scored Chavis. Parker doubled and dashed home on Callahan’s single to tie the game.
Parker batted 2-for-4 with a double and 2 runs scored to lead Fairmont. Callahan was 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Smith pitched 4.2 innings and gave up 4 runs on 5 hits, while striking out 3 for Fairmont. Nate Jones worked 2.1 innings of relief and was charged with 6 runs on 9 hits.
Coach Grant Pait’s Eagles improved to 3-5 in SAC-7 play and 7-10 overall. East Bladen will travel to Red Springs Tuesday night.
East Bladen 012 010 6 — 10-14-2
Fairmont 000 013 0 — 4- 7-2
About Author
