CLINTON – East Bladen rallied for 3 runs in the 7th inning and tacked on 1 more in the 8th to edge Clinton 5-4 Friday night in Southeastern Athletic Conference baseball action.
Senior Garrison Tatum walloped a 1-out home run over the left field fence in the 8th inning to put the Eagles ahead 5-4. Clinton loaded the bases in the home 8th, but East pitcher Ty Mathis struck out Dawson Smith, induced a fielder’s choice that forced out a runner at the plate then ended the game on a groundout back to Mathis.
The Eagles trailed 3-1 entering the 7th inning. Senior Marlin Davis beat out a lead-off single, advanced on a fielder’s choice and scored when Mathis scorched a single through the middle. Senior Zamar Lewis ripped a single to center field that sent Mathis to third. Mathis then stole home to edge the Eagles in front 4-3.
Dawson Smith led off the Dark Horse 7th with a single, and Oscar Rodriguez-Marin pounded a double. Dawson Smith then stole home to tie the game 4-4.
Mathis finished 3-for-3 at the plate with 2 doubles, a run scored and 1 RBI. Davis batted 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Garrison Tatum clobbered the key home run. Senior Evan Pait slammed a double, and Lewis and senior Weston Hatcher added a single each and both scored runs.
Coleman Tatum started on the mound for the Eagles and allowed 3 runs on 1 hit and 5 walks in 0.2 innings while striking out two. Junior Jake Futrell worked 5.1 innings of relief and gave up a run on 7 hits and 4 walks while striking out six. Mathis pitched the final 2 innings and allowed no runs on 2 hits and 3 walks while striking out three.
Dark Horse freshman pitcher Brennan Bell carried a 3-1 lead into the 7th inning before the Eagles rallied. Bell struck out 10 batters in 6.2 innings and allowed 4 runs – 3 earned – on 7 hits and 2 walks. Sophomore Jaxon Smith struck out 2 in his 1.1 innings of relief but gave up the go-ahead run in the 8th inning.
Bell batted 3-for-3 with a run scored to lead the Dark Horses. Cooper Sessoms was 2-for-3 with 1 RBI. Jaxson Smith finished 2-for-4 with a run scored. Rodriguez-Marin doubled. Dawson Smith singled and scored 2 runs.
The Dark Horses turned 5 walks and Sessoms’ single into 3 runs in the 1st inning.
Hatcher smoked a single to center field in the East 2nd inning, and Garrison Tatum walked. Davis lined a single to right to load the bases, and Hatcher then stole home.
Coach Grant Pait’s Eagles evened their record at 2-2 in league play and are 4-6 overall. East Bladen will travel to rival West Bladen Tuesday night.
East Bladen 010 000 31 — 5-10-0
Clinton 300 000 10 — 4-10-0
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