CERRO GORDO – Sophomores Samuel West and Kendall Johnson delivered key hits in a 3-run fourth inning that sparked West Bladen to an 8-5 Three Rivers Conference jayvee baseball victory over West Columbus Monday.
With the score tied 5-5, freshman Alex Strange reached base on an error, and scored when West hammered a double to left field. Freshman Brycen Blackmon reached base on a fielder’s choice, and Johnson ripped a single to left that scored West and Blackmon.
West Columbus tallied a first inning run on a single, 2 wild pitches and a fielder’s choice. Two errors and a single padded the Viking lead to 3-0 in the second inning.
Four consecutive walks issued to Blackmon, Johnson, sophomore Andrew Pait and freshman Todd Richardson in the second inning produced the first Knight run with Blackmon scoring.
Two walks, an error and a single in the Viking third inning stretched the West Columbus lead to 5-1.
The Knights rallied in the third inning. West walked, and freshman Bryley Williams raked a single to left field. Blackmon drove in West with a single. Pait walked to load the bases, and Richardson launched a sacrifice fly that scored Williams, Blackmon and Pait to tie the game 5-5.
West doubled home a run and scored twice for the Knights. Johnson cracked the 2-run single, and Blackmon and Williams added one hit each. Richardson drove in 4 runs, and Blackmon drove in one. Blackmon scored 3 runs, and Strange, Williams and Pait scored runs.
Blackmon started on the mound for the Knights and pitched 2.1 innings allowing 5 runs – 2 earned – on 3 hits and 4 walks. Freshman Josh Russ pitched 1.2 hitless, scoreless innings and struck out four to pick up the win.
Coach Wade Pait’s West Bladen’s jayvees will travel to St. Pauls Thursday.
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