DUBLIN — The Lady Knights clinched the Four County Conference crown on Thursday with an 11-0, mercy-rule win over visiting East Bladen.
West Bladen improved to 19-3 overall and 13-1 in the conference, while the Lady eagles finished their season at 6-11 and 4-10.
The Lady Knights opened the scoring with four runs in the bottom of the first frame when Logan Autry doubled, Alanna Ludlum walked and Carley Dawson laced an RBI single; an east Bladen error scored the second run and Conner Brisson ripped a two-run single for a 4-0 lead.
After a scoreless second, Brisson got things going for West Bladen with a single in the third, followed by a single by Kathryn Schultz and a run-scoring single by Kassidy Anderson. Moments later, another East Bladen error brought home a run to give the Lady Knights a 6-0 edge.
The Lady Eagles threatened in the top of the fourth when Emily Scott and Faith Johnson led off with singles and an error loaded the bases. But West Bladen pitcher Sophia Singletary worked out of the jam without further damage.
In the bottom of the fourth, an error allowed Dawson to reach base, Singletary brought her home with an RBI single, Brisson crushed a run-scoring double and Schultz followed with an RBI single. Jenna Dove then smoked an RBI single and Anderson ripped a double ahead of Ludlum’s RBI single to give West Bladen an 11-0 edge.
The Lady Eagles could not answer in the top of the fifth.
Singletary went the distance in the circle for the Lady Knights, scattering five hits and striking out two to earn the win.
Kaley Smith took the loss for East Bladen, giving up 14 hits.
“I thought we played better and hit the ball better than the first time we played (a 15-0 loss),” said East Bladen coach Patty Evers. “These girls have a lot of potential to build on and I’ve had a great time being around them.
Evers also made it official that she will not return to the dugout next season.
“This is my last year of softball and it was a great group to go out with — especially my senior Emily Scott,” she added.
Johanna Parker led the lady Eagles at the plate, going 2-for-3.
“This was a great Senior Night,” said West Bladen coach Joey Autry. “I’m just so honored to coach an incredible group of young ladies.”
Brisson was 3-for-3 with a double and RBI for West Bladen; Schultz was 2-for-2 with an RBI; Ludlum was 2-for-3 with an RBI; Anderson was 2-for-4 with a double and RBI; Autry had a double.
W. Curt Vincent can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.