CLINTON – A 3-run fifth inning rally propelled West Bladen to a 5-2 non-conference baseball victory over Clinton Wednesday night.
The Knights led 2-1 when senior Dalton Pait laced a one-out single to leftfield in the fifth inning. One-out later, junior Nolan Bryant hammered a double to left that drove in Dalton Pait. After seniors David Valenta and Jeremy Pait drew walks to load the bases, senior Shawn Oxendine ripped a single to left that scored Bryant and Valenta to boost the lead to 5-1.
After the Dark Horses tacked on a run in the sixth inning on an error, Lee Tyner’s single and a passed ball, Bryant relieved junior Colby White on the mound and pitched 2 innings of 1-hit relief to pick up the save striking out four.
Freshman Devon Strange started on the hill for the Knights and worked 3.2 innings, allowing a run on 4 hits and 5 walks while striking out two. White relieved and pitched 1.1 innings giving up a run on 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out two.
Bryant and junior Logan West slammed doubles, and Dalton Pait, Valenta, Jeremy Pait and Oxendine belted one hit each. Oxendine had 2 runs batted in, and Bryant drove in one.
Valenta ripped a single to left in the second inning but was retired on Jeremy Pait’s fielder’s choice. Jeremy Pait advanced on a passed ball and raced home on an error for a 1-0 Knight lead.
Valenta drew a walk to start the West Bladen fourth. Jeremy Pait smacked a single, and Valenta dashed home on a passed ball for a 2-0 lead.
Kyle Reeves’ single, a hit batter and 2 walks produced a Dark Horse run in the Clinton fourth.
Senior Ashton Tyndall started on the mound for the Horses, and junior Andrew Leggett batted 2-4 to lead the Clinton hitters.
Coach John Ammons’ Knights will resume Three Rivers Conference play Friday night at West Columbus.
West Bladen 010 130 0 – 5-6-2
Clinton 000 101 0 – 2-7-2
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