By John Clark
FAIRMONT– West Bladen exploded for 9 runs in the 4th inning, but their Southeastern Athletic Conference baseball showdown for 2nd place was halted in the top of the 5th inning when the Fairmont coach was ejected and the umpires left the field with the Knights leading 9-3.
The two teams are in a flat-footed tie for 2nd place in the league with identical 4-3 league records. Knight Coach Wade Pait is expecting the game to be completed due to the playoff implications.
The controversy between the coach and the umpire started with a disagreement about the count on a Knight batter early in the 4th inning, then after 3 straight balls were called on another West batter in the 5th inning, the coach was ejected. After some argument, the umpires left the field.
Fairmont’s Jamarion Brown launched a double into the left field corner to start the 3rd inning. A throwing error on Kyland Strickland’s bunt scored Brown and sent Strickland to 3rd base. Strickland dashed home on a wild pitch for a 2-0 lead.
The Knights sent 13 batters to the plate in the 4th inning. Senior Jordan Hester pounded a double over the left fielder’s head to begin the inning. Jordan Hester advanced on a wild pitch, and junior Allister Russ walked. Junior Brady Durden knocked in Jordan Hester with a single. Sophomore Josh Dawson laid down a sacrifice bunt, and an error on the play scored Allister Russ.
Juniors Aiden Russ and Garrett Dunham walked to force home Brady Durden with the go-ahead run. Dawson was forced out at the plate on freshman Ashton Davis’ fielder’s choice. Junior Cade Allen walked to force home Aiden Russ. Sophomore Hunter Hester ripped a shot off the Tornado 3rd baseman that scored Dunham.
Jordan Hester yanked a single to right that scored Davis. One-out later Brady Durden crushed a triple over the center fielder’s head that scored Allen, Hunter Hester and Jordan Hester for a 9-2 lead.
Fairmont’s Kenley Callahan slammed a double to start the Tornado 4th, and Austin Locklear walked. Locklear got into a rundown between 1st and 2nd base, but when Callahan tried to score, Jordan Hester threw him out with a strike to the catcher, Dawson. However 2 wild pitches brought home Locklear to trim the margin to 9-3.
West Bladen 000 9 — 9-5-1
Fairmont 002 1 — 3-2-1
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