NEWTON GROVE – East Bladen snapped a 3-3 tie with 5 runs in the 7th inning on just 1 hit and defeated Hobbton 8-3 Monday night in non-conference baseball action.
Coach Grant Pait’s Eagles improved to 11-8 overall and will travel to Waccamaw Conference leader Whiteville Tuesday night. Hobbton, now 10-8, will host Union Tuesday night.
Walks to sophomore Davion Lewis and senior Parker Greene started the late Eagle rally. After Lewis stole 3rd base, freshman Jayce Hatcher reached on an error as Lewis scooted home with the go-ahead run. Senior Lee Barnes reached on another Wildcat error that scored Greene.
Senior Britt Sasser lined a single to right field that loaded the bases. Senior Tyler Johnson reached on a fielder’s choice that plated Hatcher. Barnes dashed home on a wild pitch. Senior D. A. Smith’s fielder’s choice scored Sasser and pushed the lead to 8-3.
Na’Toren Corbett started on the mound for the Eagles and pitched 2.1 innings allowing 2 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 2. Carson Gooden worked 1.2 innings of relief and gave up an unearned run on a hit and 3 walks while striking out 1.
Sasser allowed 1 hit in his 1.1 innings of scoreless relief. Senior Jake Futrell picked up the win with 1.2 innings of scoreless, hitless relief while striking out 4 and walking 1.
Senior Garret Britt led off the Wildcat 1st inning with a single, freshman Aydan Lawson walked, and sophomore Kasey Lee delivered a 2-run single.
The Eagles rallied with a 3-run 3rd inning. Johnson was hit by a pitch and stole 2nd base. Smith beat out a bunt single and an error on the play scored Johnson. Futrell scorched a single to rightfield that scored Smith. Lewis smoked a single to right, stole 2nd base and raced home when Greene walloped a double to right field for a 3-2 East lead.
Two walks and an error produced Hobbton’s tying run in the home half of the 3rd inning.
Greene doubled, drove in a run and scored a run to lead the Eagle hitters. Smith, Futrell, Lewis and Sasser connected for 1 single each. Smith, Futrell, Hatcher, Barnes and Johnson drove in 1 run each. Lewis scored 2 runs, and Smith, Hatcher, Barnes, Sasser and Johnson scored 1 run each.
Sophomore Will Blackman pitched 6-plus innings for the Wildcats and allowed 5 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks while striking out 6. C. Nock worked 1 inning of relief and gave up 3 unearned runs on 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 1.
Britt batted 2-for-2 with 2 runs scored to lead Hobbton. Lee, Aiden Grimes and Kade Corbett added 1 hit each. Lee drove in 2 runs, and Lawson scored a run.
East Bladen 003 000 5 — 8-5-2
Hobbton 201 000 0 — 3-5-5
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