DIXON – Brad Singleton’s single over a drawn-in outfield enabled Dixon to walk-off with a 1-0 victory over West Bladen in the opening round of the NCHSAA Class 2A Baseball Play-offs Wednesday night.
With the two teams locked in a scoreless tie, the Bulldogs began the bottom of the seventh inning with an infield hit into the short-third hole. After the runner advanced on a sacrifice bunt, Knight Coach Kim Cain issued an intentional walk to keep a force situation on the bases.
The Bulldogs bunted again, and the Knight fielder slipped down allowing Dixon to load the bases with one out. Coach Cain brought the outfield in enough to be able to cut down the winning run at the plate, but Singleton’s fly ball over the outfielder’s head ended the game.
Junior Scott Bowen pitched a strong game for the Knights and held the Bulldogs, the East Central co-champions, scoreless until the final inning. Bowen allowed only 6 hits and struck out five batters.
Senior Riley Barber pitched a 5-hit shutout for the Bulldogs.
West Bladen put two runners on base with one out in the first inning but Barber worked out of it with a pair of strike-outs. The Knights put two more runners on base in the seventh inning, but a line-drive double play ended the inning.
Dixon threatened in the fifth inning but rightfielder Jonathan Ashworth made a strong throw to catcher Jake Butler who tagged out a runner trying to score from second base on a single.
Freshman Logan West cracked two hits to lead the Knight hitters. Seniors T. J. Guyton, Jarrett Williams and Caleb Sholar connected for one hit each.
The Knights complete their season with a 13-10 record.
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