BLADENBORO – Sophmore Kendall Johnson doubled home the tying and go-ahead runs in the fifth inning as West Bladen rallied for a 7-6 non-conference jayvee baseball victory over Clinton Wednesday.
The Dark Horses rode a 5-run third inning to a 6-3 lead, before the Knight comeback began in the fourth inning. Freshman Todd Richardson lined a single to left, and Chris Bailey beat out a bunt single. Sophmore Samuel West hammered a double to centerfield that scored Richardson and Bailey and closed the gap to 6-5.
Freshman Brycen Blackmon slammed a double to left to begin the Knight fifth inning, and freshman Tucker Carroll walked. Johnson blasted the double to centerfield that scored Blackmon and Carroll and vaulted West Bladen on top.
West batted 2-2 with 2 doubles, 3 runs batted in and 2 runs scored to lead the Knight hitters. Blackmon finished 2-3 at the plate with a double and a run scored. Johnson delivered the 2-run double, and Richardson and Bailey added one hit each. Freshman Josh Russ had an rbi, and Richardson scored 2 runs. Carroll and Bailey scored one run each.
Russ started on the mound and pitched 4 innings, allowing 6 runs – 2 earned – on 4 hits and a walk while striking out nine. Freshman Bryley Williams picked up the win with 2 scoreless, hitless innings of relief, striking out three and walking one.
The Knights took a 1-0 first inning lead. Freshman Alex Strange and West were both hit by pitches, and Williams walked. Strange was forced out at the plate, but Russ was hit by a pitch to force home West.
Clinton used a passed third strike and an error to tie the game in the second, but the Knights answered with 2 runs in the bottom of the inning. Richardson was hit by a pitch, and West knocked him in with a 2-out double. West dashed home on a passed ball to put the Knights up 3-1.
Coach Wade Pait’s Knights will host Whiteville Friday night.
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