By John Clark
BLADENBORO – West Bladen battled back 3 times Wednesday night, but a couple of misplays and senior Bailey Padgett’s 2-run double highlighted a 4-run 8th inning that lifted East Columbus’ Lady Gators to a 12-8 non-conference victory.
“We came back 3 times, but we couldn’t catch them that last time,” said Lady Knight Coach Pam Stephens. “And give them credit. They made some plays too.”
The most notable of those plays was a diving catch by Oklahoma State signee Karli Godwin who laid out prone at shortstop to spear Mackenzie Singletary’s line drive leading off the 5th inning. Even with Godwin’s great play, West Bladen went on to score 5 runs in the inning and tie the game 7-7.
Senior Kylie Durden raked a single over the 1st base bag, and senior Rylee Chadwick ripped a single to left. A passed ball advanced both runners, and both scored when senior Madison Taylor bounced a single through the middle.
Junior Gracie Faircloth pounded a double into the left field corner, and senior Kaitlynn Brisson hammered a triple to right-center field that plated Taylor and Faircloth. Sophomore Marlene Crabtree smashed a double to right-center field that scored Brisson and tied the game 7-7.
Pitcher Ava Jacobs doubled off the right field fence in the East 7th inning, and Padgett knocked her in with a single. Brisson was hit by a pitch, and Crabtree walked in the home half of the 7th. An error on freshman Kali Allen’s bunt allowed Brisson to race home with the tying run. Singletary belted a single to left to load the bases, but the runners were left stranded.
Chadwick batted 4-for-5 with run scored to lead the West hitters. Allen finished 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Crabtree was 2-for-3 with a double, a run batted in and a run scored. Brisson batted 2-for-4 with a triple and 2 RBIs. Singletary finished 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs. Faircloth doubled and scored a run. Taylor had the 2-run single, Durden singled and scored a run, and freshman Jahyrah Priest scored a run.
Freshman Kamora Bryant batted 4-for-5 with a home run, a double, 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored for East. Junior Kaley Mitchell finished 3-for-5 with 3 runs scored. Godwin slugged 2 doubles, scored 3 runs and had 1 RBI. Padgett batted 2-for-5 with a double, 4 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Jacobs was 2-for-5 with an RBI and 2 runs scored.
Chadwick struck out 12 batters, walked 1 intentionally and allowed 15 hits and 12 runs – 8 earned – in her 8 innings in the circle.
Godwin doubled and scored on a throwing error in the 1st inning, and Bryant poled her home run in the 2nd inning for a 2-0 Lady Gator lead.
Brisson smacked a single to left to start the West 2nd but was retired on Crabtree’s force-out. Allen launched a double down the right field line, and Singletary drove in Crabtree and Allen with a single to right that tied the game 2-2.
The Lady Gators went up 7-2 with 5 runs in the 5th inning on 3 hits, another infield hit and 2 bunts. Godwin’s RBI double, and an RBI single by Bryant highlighted the inning.
West Bladen will host West Columbus Friday at 6 p.m.
East Columbus 110 050 14 — 12-15-1
West Bladen 020 050 10 — 8-15-4
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