DUBLIN – Red Springs withstood a last-inning rally to defeat West Bladen 8-5 in Three Rivers Conference baseball action Tuesday night.
The Red Devils carried an 8-3 lead into the home half of the seventh, but senior Kaleb Heup and sophmore Nolan Bryant were both hit by pitches to start the inning. Sophmore Dawson Bryan laced a single to centerfield to load the bases.
One out later senior Scott Bowen ripped a 2-run single to leftfield that scored Heup and Bryant. However the next two batters were retired to end the game.
The Red Devils bunched a trio of singles and an error to score 2 runs in the first inning. A walk, 2 singles and Colton Locklear’s double produced 3 more Red Springs runs and a 5-0 lead in the second inning.
The Knights sliced the Red Springs lead to 5-3 with 3 fourth-inning runs. Bowen drew a one-out walk, and sophmore Jake Butler dropped a single into short rightfield. Junior Dalton Pait walked to load the bases, and Bowen scooted home on a wild pitch.
Sophmore Braylon Williamson slammed a single down the leftfield line that scored Heup, the courtesy runner for Butler, and Pait.
The Red Devils bounced back with a 3-run fifth inning. Junior Gabriel Locklear poled a solo home run just inside the foul pole in leftfield. Three walks, a hit and a throwing error plated 2 more runs and pushed the lead to 8-3.
Bowen batted 2-3 with 2 runs batted in and a run scored to lead the Knight hitters. Butler finished 2-4 at the plate. Williamson cracked the 2-run single, and Bryan and junior Derrick Long added one hit each.
Heup scored twice, and Bryant and Pait scored one run each.
Sophmore Colby White started on the mound and pitched 1.2 innings allowing 5 runs – 4 earned – on 6 hits and a walk. Long relieved and pitched 2.1 innings, giving up 3 runs – 2 earned – on 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out one.
Sophmore Logan West pitched 2 scoreless innings for the Knights and allowed a hit and 2 walks while striking out four. Bryant worked a scoreless seventh inning, striking out one and walking one.
Gabriel Locklear slugged the home run and batted 2-3 to lead the Red Devil hitters. Jordan Locklear also batted 2-3 for Red Springs, and Jayshawn Carthens finished 2-4 at the plate.
Colton Locklear picked up the pitching victory in relief for Red Springs.
West Bladen will travel to East Columbus Friday night.
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