Dawson Caulder bounced a 2-run single through a drawn-in infield to cap a 6-run seventh inning rally that vaulted the St. Pauls Bulldogs to an 8-7 non-conference victory over visiting West Bladen Monday night.
West Bladen carried a 7-2 lead into the final inning, but 2 infield hits, 5 hit batters, 2 errors and Caulder’s walk-off single produced the five runs.
The Knights jumped in front with 3 runs in the first inning. Senior Seth Britt was hit by a pitch and senior Jeremy Hunt hammered a double to right-centerfield.
Senior Trent West smacked a run-scoring single, and senior Chandler Lennon knocked in another run with a single. West raced home on a wild pitch for a 3-0 lead.
The Bulldogs trimmed the lead to 3-2 in the home half of the first.
The Knights tacked on a run in the third as West drew a walk and circled the bases on a pair of errors to pad the lead to 4-2.
Rightfielder Scott Bowen ran down a bases-loaded drive to deep right to end the St. Pauls fourth inning and preserve the lead.
With one out in the Knight seventh, Bowen walked, and Troy Edge was hit by a pitch. Donald McCullom walked, and Bowen darted home on a wild pitch. Jarrett Williams launched a sacrifice fly that scored Jonathan Ashworth who was running for Edge. McCullom sprinted home on a wild pitch to stretch the lead to 7-2.
Hunt batted 2-4 with a double and a run scored to lead the Knights. Lennon was 1-2 with a run batted in before injuring his ankle in the second inning. West singled in a run and scored twice. Ray Jones also singled for West Bladen.
Lennon started on the mound and pitched 2 innings, giving up 2 runs on a hit and 2 walks, while striking out four. Bowen relieved and worked 1.2 innings, striking out 2 and walking four.
Hunt pitched 2.1 innings, giving up no runs on a hit and 2 walks while striking out two. Edge came in to pitch the seventh and allowed 5 runs on 2 hits and 5 hit batters.
West Bladen will go to South Robeson Thursday night.
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