ELIZABETHTOWN – East Bladen rallied for four runs in the fifth inning to edge West Columbus 5-4 Wednesday night in a battle for second-place in the Three Rivers Conference baseball standings.
Viking ace Cole Benton carried a 4-1 lead into the home half of the fifth, but senior Greyson Heustess led off with a single, and senior Shy Pone was hit by a pitch. Pone was retired on sophmore Freddy Wooten’s fielder’s choice, but sophmore Brady Hollingsworth walked.
Senior Dan Tatum’s fielder’s choice plated Heustess. An error on senior Spencer Scott’s grounder scored Wooten and Hollingsworth to tie the game. Junior Gabe Barber laced a single to rightfield that scored Scott with the go-ahead run.
Wooten, senior Pierce Melvin and Pone slammed doubles to lead the Eagle hitters. Heustess, Hollingsworth, Scott, Barber and senior Josh McKoy connected for one single each. Wooten, Tatum and Barber drove in runs, and Heustess, Wooten, Hollingsworth, Scott and McKoy scored runs.
Pone started on the mound for the Eagles and worked 3.2 innings, giving up 4 runs on 7 walks and one hit. Scott relieved and pitched 3.1 scoreless innings to pick up the win allowing 2 hits, no walks and striking out six.
Cole Benton went the distance on the mound for the Vikings and gave up 5 runs – 2 earned – on 8 hits and 2 walks while striking out five.
Dylan Blackwell batted 2-3 with a double, 2 runs batted in and a run scored to lead the Viking hitters. Cole Benton singled for the other Viking hit and scored a run.
McKoy cracked a single to lead off the Eagle third inning, advanced on Heustess’ sacrifice bunt and Wooten scorched a double to left field that scored McKoy for an early 1-0 lead.
Five walks, a hit batter and Blackwell’s 2-run double keyed a 4-run Viking fourth inning.
Coach Russell Priest’s Eagles moved into second-place in the TRC with a 9-3 league record and 11-3 overall mark. East Bladen will host Fairmont Friday night.
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