BLADENBORO – Sophomore Megan Pait knocked in Shelby Burns with the winning run in the bottom of the 4th inning as West Bladen walked off Hoke County 5-4 Thursday in non-conference jayvee softball action.
With the score tied 4-4 and the time limit running out, Alina Chavez reached base on an error to start the inning. Burns beat out a bunt single and sophomore Emmee Ward walked to load the bases. Marlene Crabtree’s grounder forced Chavez at the plate, but Pait delivered the single that scored Burns and ended the game.
Ward pitched all 4 innings for the Lady Knights, allowing 4 runs – 2 earned – on 6 hits and 3 walks while striking out one. Ward batted 2-for-2 with a run scored. Burns, Holland Davis, Pait, Violet Allen, and Ayanna Jones connected for 1 hit each. Burns, Davis, Pait, and Crabtree scored runs, and Davis, Allen and Pait had 1 RBI each.
West Bladen grabbed a 3-0 lead in the 1st inning. Ward led off with a single, Crabtree reached base on an error and Pait walked. Ward and Crabtree dashed home on wild pitches, and Davis’ grounder scored Pait.
Hoke pulled to within 3-2, but Davis lashed a single to left, stole 2 bases and scooted home on Allen’s infield hit for a 4-2 West lead. Hoke tied the game with 2 runs in the top of the fourth.
It was the first game of the season for Coach Joe Lewis’ Lady Knights.
Hoke County 011 2 -4-6-3
West Bladen 301 1 -5-7-3
About Author
