03/28/2024
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ROWLAND – South Robeson rallied for four runs in the sixth inning for an 8-7 win against West Bladen on Monday in the consolation bracket of the Robeson County Slugfest at South Robeson High School.

West Bladen had rallied from an early 4-1 deficit for 7-4 lead after four innings, but couldn’t hang on at the end.

Chandler Lennon went the distance on the mound for West Bladen, giving up nine hits and four earned runs, while striking out seven, walking three and hitting two batters.

Lennon led the Knights at the plate as well. The senior was 2-for-4 with a double and two runs batted in. His courtesy runner, T.J. Guyton, scored twice. Seth Britt also had two hits for West Bladen while Jeremy Hunt, Trent West, Jarrett Williams and Ray Jones each had a hit. Britt scored twice while Hunt, Donald McCullum and Hunter Pait each crossed the plate once. Hunt and Jones each had a run batted in.

Zack Carter earned the win in relief for South Robeson, and he also went 2-for-4 at the plate with a RBI.

West Bladen is 3-7 and is out of the tournament with consecutive losses. The Knights, who are 2-2 in Four County Conference play, return to league action next Tuesday at home against Midway.

South Robeson is 2-9 and will play Red Springs on Tuesday for fifth place.

After giving up three runs in the first inning, West Bladen answered with a single run in the bottom half of the frame. Britt singled, but forced at second on Lennon’s grounder. West ripped a double down the left field line that sent courtesy runner Guyton to third. Williams walked to load the bases. Jones then drew a walk to force in the run.

South Robeson added another run in the second without benefit of a hit. The Mustangs used a walk, fielder’s choice, ground out, and a throwing error on a fielder’s choice.

However, the Knights struck for four runs in the bottom of the second for a 5-4 lead. McCullum reached on an error and Pait walked to lead off the inning. Hunt slapped a single to left that scored McCullum. Britt walked to load the bases. Lennon reached on an infield error that scored Pait, then, when the ground ball was missed by the right fielder, Hunter and Britt scored for a 5-4 West Bladen lead.

The Knights tacked on two more runs in the fourth. Britt had an infield single and went to second on a wild pitch. Lennon blasted a double to deep left center that scored Britt. After an out, Williams singled that moved courtesy runner Guyton to third. The South Robeson pitcher was called for a balk that brought home Guyton and a 6-4 advantage.

But South Robeson used a pair of hit batters to start its rally in the sixth. The Mustangs had RBI-singles from Carter, Branjer Jones and Zachary Campbell, an error and a passed ball.

West Bladen left a runner on bases in the sixth, then were retired in order in the seventh.

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