03/28/2024
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South Robeson pushed across an unearned run in the top of the eighth inning to beat West Bladen 6-5 in a non-conference baseball game at Knights Field.

West Bladen had rallied from a 4-0 deficit after 1 1/2 innings to tie the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the seventh on Trent West’s hard single to left.

South Robeson regain the lead in the top of the eight. Devin Smith reached on a fielder’s choice, moved to second on an error, went to third on an infield single by Cody Scott that loaded the bases, and scored when Branjer Jones reached on a fielder’s choice.

West Bladen was retired in order in the bottom of the eighth.

Smith picked up the win for the Mustangs, who won for the first time in four games this season. Smith pitched the first three innings, then returned to the mound in the seventh. He allowed five hits, three runs, two earned runs, walked one and struck out four.

Jeremy Hunt (0-1) was tagged with the loss, although he pitched 6 1/3 innings, gave up five hits, a pair of unearned runs and struck out five. The senior right-hander threw 73 pitches of which 57 were strikes. Sophomore Scott Bowen started and went 1 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on five hits with three walks and a strike out.

West led the Knights (1-2) at the plate, going 2-for-4 with three runs batted in. Jarrett Williams was 2-for-3.
Ray Jones and Bowen each had a hit. Troy Edge and Donald McCullum each had sacrifice flies.

South Robeson plated two runs in each of the first two innings to open a 4-0 lead.

West Bladen got a run in the second and another in the third that made it 4-2.

In the second, Bowen opened with a single to left and Edge walked. Jones then blooped a single into center to load the bases. McCullum followed with a sacrifice fly to left.

In the third, Hunt reached second base on a throwing error, courtesy runner Jonathan Ashworth moved to third on a single by Williams, and scored when West reached on a fielder’s choice.

South Robeson countered with a run in the fourth, but West Bladen answered with two runs in the fifth that pulled the Knights within 5-4.

A walk to Hunt and single by Williams put runners on first and second with no outs. West ripped a single to left that scored courtesy runner Ashworth and sent Williams to third. Edge connected for a sacrifice fly to left.

West Bladen tied it at 5-5 in the bottom of the seventh. Hunt walked and courtesey runner Ashworth moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Williams. A wild pitch sent Ashworth to third and he scampered home with the tying run when West singled to left.

West Bladen is scheduled to play at West Columbus on Saturday at 4 p.m.

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