RED SPRINGS – West Bladen exploded for 10 runs in the 5th inning to rally back from a 7-0 deficit and defeat Red Springs 17-10 Thursday night in Southeastern Athletic Conference baseball action.
Senior Hunter Smith walked, and freshman Hunter Hester scorched a single to center field to begin the pivotal 5th inning. Sophomores Hezekiah Adams, Garrett Dunham, Brady Durden and Cade Allen drew consecutive walks that forced home Smith, Hester and Adams. Junior Jordan Hester smoked a single through the middle that scored Dunham.
Junior Andre Moore and senior Hunter Elks drew walks that forced home Brady Durden and Allen. Smith raked a single to right that scored senior Aaron Wren, the pinch-runner for Jordan Hester, and Moore. An error on the play allowed Elks to score. Adams’ fielder’s choice plated Smith as West Bladen grabbed a 10-7 lead.
The Red Devils turned 2 errors, a walk and T. Ellirbe’s steal of home into 2 runs that trimmed the margin to 10-9. Walks to Brady Durden, Wren and Moore loaded the bases in the Knight 6th inning. Smith drilled a triple to right field that cleaned the bases scoring Brady Durden, Wren and Moore for a 13-9 West lead.
Adams drew a lead-off walk in the Knight 7th inning, advanced on 2 wild pitches and scooted home on senior Garrison Carr’s sacrifice fly. Dunham walked, and Allen reached base on an error. Moore blasted a triple to left that scored Dunham and Allen. Elks knocked in Moore with a single to center field that grew the lead to 17-9.
Singles by Z. Cummings and T. Hammonds plus 2 wild pitches plated the final Red Springs run in the 7th.
Smith batted 2-for-4 with a triple, 5 RBIs and 2 runs scored to lead the Knight hitters. Moore tripled, scored 3 runs and had 3 RBIs. Dunham, Jordan Hester, Elks and Hunter Hester connected for 1 hit each.
Dunham, Brady Durden, Carr, Allen, Jordan Hester, Elks and Adams had 1 RBI each. Adams, Wren, Allen, Brady Durden and Dunham scored 2 runs each. Elks and Hunter Hester scored 1 run each. Red Springs pitchers walked 13 batters in the game.
Dunham started on the mound and pitched 3.1 innings allowing 6 runs – 3 earned – on 6 hits and a walk while striking out 3. Allen worked 2.1 innings of relief and gave up 3 runs – 1 earned – on 2 hits and 4 walks while striking out 2. Carr closed out the win with 1.1 innings of relief allowing a run on 2 hits and a walk while striking out 2.
Ellirbe doubled and batted 2-for-4 with 3 runs scored and an RBI for Red Springs. K. Clark was 2-for-3 with 3 runs scored and an RBI. T. Hammonds finished 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs. J. Hammonds doubled, scored a run and had an RBI.
T. Hammonds gave up 9 runs in the final 3 innings to take the loss. J. Hammonds started on the hill for Red Springs and gave up 5 runs in 4 innings. T. Locklear didn’t retire a batter and gave up 3 runs.
Coach Wade Pait’s Knights improved to 5-3 in the SAC-7 and 12-5 overall with the win and will travel to St. Pauls Tuesday night.
West Bladen 000 0(10)3 4 — 17- 7-4
Red Springs 203 220 1 — 10-10-3
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