03/29/2024
Spread the love

RED SPRINGS – Senior Nolan Bryant and freshman Hunter Smith combined to pitch a 5-hitter and strikeout 11 batters Tuesday night to lead West Bladen to an 8-4 Three Rivers Conference victory over Red Springs.

Bryant worked the first 5 innings to pick up the victory, striking out 7 batters and allowing 3 runs – 2 earned – on 4 hits and 4 walks. Smith gave up an unearned run on a walk and a hit while striking out 4 in his 2 innings on the mound.

Terrance Barefield slammed a run-scoring double then scored a run in the Red Devils 2-run first inning.

Senior Colby White ignited a 4-run Knight 2nd inning with a single. Sophomore Alex Brisson reached base on a fielder’s choice, and junior Kendall Johnson rapped a single off the pitcher that scored White. Sophomore Devon Strange hammered a double to center field that drove in Brisson and Johnson. Freshman Hunter Elks knocked in Strange with a single that pushed the West lead to 4-2.

Bryant and senior Braylon Williamson drew walks, and senior Dawson Bryan was hit by a pitch to load the bases in the Knight 5th inning. Johnson walked to force home Bryant, and Strange laced a single to center field that scored Williamson and Bryan and pushed the West Bladen lead to 7-2.

After the Red Devils scored a run in the 5th, the Knights answered in the 6th. Williamson drilled a double to right field, and White raked a single to left field. Bryan smashed a single to center field that scored Williamson for an 8-3 lead.

Strange batted 2-for-3 with a double, 4 runs batted in and a run scored to lead the Knight hitters. Bryan finished 2-for-3 at the plate with an rbi and a run scored. White batted 2-for-4 with a run scored. Williamson doubled and scored twice. Johnson and Elks added one hit each. Johnson drove in 2 runs, and Elks had one rbi. Bryant and Johnson scored one run each.

Skylar Locklear, the 1st of 5 Red Springs pitchers, took the loss. Dorian Bryant batted 2-for-3 to lead the Red Devil hitters.

Coach John Ammons’ Knights evened their league record at 1-1 and are 1-2 overall. West Bladen will host Red Springs in a return match Friday night.

West Bladen  040 031 0 – 8-9-2
Red Springs  200 010 1 – 4-5-1

About Author