CERRO GORDO- Tyler Lewis smashed a 2-run double that capped a 4-run West Bladen 5th inning and propelled the Knights to a 12-6 lead and eventual 13-10 Jr. American Legion baseball victory over West Columbus Monday night.
West Columbus scored 5 runs in the 3rd inning to slice an 8-1 West Bladen lead to 8-6. Jordan Hester reached on an error to begin the Knight 5th. Ashton Davis drilled a single to center field, and both runners advanced on a passed ball.
Allister Russ reached base on a fielder’s choice. Weston Hilburn walked to force home Hester. Davis dashed home on a passed ball, and Lewis drove in Allister Russ and Jonah Bryan, the courtesy runner for Hilburn, with his double that grew the lead to 12-6.
The Vikings scored an unearned run in the home 5th, but the Knights answered with a run in the 6th. Brady Durden reached base on an error, advanced on an errant pickoff throw and scored when Davis raked a single past 3rd base to pad the lead to 13-7.
West Columbus scored twice in the 6th on 3 walks and 2 errors. A pair of Knight errors led to the final Viking run in the 7th inning.
The Knights jumped in front with 6 runs in the 1st inning. Walks to Garrett Dunham, Cade Allen, and Jordan Hester sandwiched around an error that allowed Brady Durden to reach base started the inning. Hester’s walk forced home Dunham.
Will Durden knocked in Brady Durden and Allen with a single to center field. Allister Russ was hit by a pitch, and Aidan Russ reached base on an error that scored Hester and Will Durden. Josh Dawson ripped a single to left that scored Allister Russ.
Hester walloped a triple to left to start the Knight 3rd inning. Davis ripped a single to center that scored Hester. Davis stole 2nd base and raced home when Aidan Russ yanked a single to right that put the Knights ahead 8-1.
Two walks, 2 errors and a couple of fielder’s choices produced the 5 West Columbus runs in the home 3rd.
Davis batted 3-for-4 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored to lead the Knight hitters. Hester tripled, scored 3 runs and had an RBI. Lewis slugged the 2-run double. Dawson, Aidan Russ and Will Durden added singles.
Allister Russ and Brady Durden scored 2 runs each. Allen, Dunham, Bryan and Will Durden scored runs. Aidan Russ and Will Durden had 2 RBIs each, and Dawson and Hilburn had RBIs.
Allen started and pitched 2 innings allowing an unearned run on a walk and a hit while striking out 1. Caison Brixey worked 2.1 innings of relief and allowed 6 runs – 1 earned – on a hit and 3 walks while striking out 3.
Brady Durden pitched 1.2 innings of relief and allowed 2 unearned runs on 3 walks while striking out 4. Davis worked the final inning and allowed an unearned run on no hits and no walks.
Josh Harrison and Jake Odham collected the Viking hits. Odham scored 3 runs, and Jahan Powell scored twice. Ethan Soles was the losing pitcher.
West Bladen evened their record at 3-3 with the victory.
West Bladen 602 041 0 — 13-8-8
West Columbus 105 012 1 — 10-2-6
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