WHITEVILLE – Jalen Ballard batted 4-for-4 and scored 5 runs to lead Bladen County to a 21-18 victory over Riegelwood in an elimination game in the Diamond Youth Baseball District 2 AAA (Minors) Tournament.
Bladen County advances to a 6 p.m. game Tuesday against Columbus County.
Riegelwood built an early 5-1 lead, but Bladen County rallied with an 18-1 rally over the next 3 innings that gave Bladen a 19-6 lead. Riegelwood battled back with 12 runs in the final 2 innings.
The Bladen County offense connected for 7 hits, drew 25 walks and had 5 hit batters. Riegelwood smacked 5 hits and capitalized on 19 walks and 2 hit batters.
Ballard walked in the Bladen 1st inning and stole 3 bases including home to score the 1st Bladen run.
Javion Johnson and Gregory McKiver drew walks to begin the Bladen 3rd inning. L. C. Council and Ballard belted singles, and Memphis Smith slammed a double. C.J. Singletary and Gavin Richardson were both hit by pitches, and Johann Reed and Tristan Taylor both walked. McKiver, Council, Ballard, Smith and Singletary all scored to edge Bladen ahead 6-5.
McKiver walked, and Council hammered a double to start the Bladen 4th inning. Ballard was hit by a pitch, and Smith, Singletary, Richardson, Reed, Taylor and Aaron Bethea drew consecutive walks. McKiver, Council, Ballard, Smith, Singletary, Richardson and Reed all scored to stretch the Bladen lead to 13-6.
Ballard ripped a single and Smith was hit by a pitch to begin the Bladen 5th inning. Council, Singletary, Reed, Bethea, Colton Wilkins and Johnson all drew walks. Council, Ballard, Smith, Singletary, Richardson and Reed all scored to push the lead to 19-6.
Ballard sparked Bladen’s 6th inning rally with a single then stole 3 bases including home. Smith, Singletary and Richardson drew walks, and Reed was hit by a pitch. Smith scored to increase the lead to 21-13.
Council batted 2-for-4 with a double and scored 3 runs. Smith doubled, walked twice and scored 4 runs. Singletary walked 4 times and scored 3 runs. Richardson walked twice and scored a run. Reed walked 4 times and scored 2 runs. Taylor and Johnson walked 3 times each. Bethea walked 3 times and scored a run. Wilkins drew a walk, and McKiver walked twice and scored 2 runs.
Bladen County 105 762 — 21
Riegelwood 231 075 — 18
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