ELIZABETHTOWN — Three East Bladen pitchers combined to scatter nine hits and the Eagles took advantage of six Red Springs errors in a 10-4 win Wednesday.
The victory at Russell Priest Field snapped a four-game losing for the Eagles (7-4 overall, 3-2 in Southeastern Athletic Conference games). East Bladen opened the season with six consecutive wins.
Sophomore right-hander Britt Sasser pitched the first three innings for East Bladen and allowed four runs – three earned – on seven hits and two strikeouts.
Staff ace Evan Pait, who was credited with the win since Sasser did not complete four innings, allowed a hit and struck out six in 2.2 innings. He was lifted in the middle of an at-bat after throwing 44 pitches so that he will be eligible to pitch at Red Springs on Friday. State rules require one day of rest if a pitcher throws less than 46 pitches and two days rest if a pitcher throws between 46 and 60 pitches.
Coleman Tatum finished the game and allowed a hit and struck out two.
The Eagles struck for six runs in first inning, using hits by Tyler Johnson, Raymond Autry and Marlan Davis, two errors, two walks, hit batter and a run-producing balk.
Red Springs cut it to 6-4 with a pair of runs in both the second and third innings.
East Bladen added a pair of runs in the fourth. Tyler Johnson reached on an error, moved to second on a wild pitch and to third on a passed ball. He scored when Ethan Johnson reached on an error. Pait ripped a double to left that scored Ethan Johnson for an 8-4 Eagles lead.
East Bladen added two insurance runs in the sixth with a two-out rally. Zamar Lewis singled up the middle, went to third on a line double to left by Garrison Tatum and scored on Autry’s second single of the game. Tatum scored when Jake Futrell reached on an error.
Tim Hammonds took the loss for Red Springs (7-6, 1-6 SAC). He allowed 10 runs – five earned – on eight hits, struck out two and walked four in 5.2 innings.
Autry was 2-for-4 with two RBIs to lead the East Bladen offense. Tyler Johnson, Pait, Lewis, Garrison Tatum, Coleman Tatum and Davis each had one hit. Tyler Johnson, Lewis and Garrison Tatum each scored twice. Ethan Johnson, Pait, Futrell and Coleman Tatum each scored a run. Pait, Futrell and Davis each drove in a run.
Tim Hammonds and Charles Lowery were 2-for-3 with an RBI to lead Red Springs.
The teams are scheduled to play at Red Springs on Friday at 6:30 p.m.
Red Springs 022 000 0 – 4-9-6
East Bladen 600-202-x – 10-8-1
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