Terry Sanford pitcher Ethan Noble on top of the mound.
Alex Brooks | Bladen Journal
FAYETTEVILLE — The Terry Sanford Bulldogs defeated the East Bladen Eagles for a 12-9 victory on Wednesday in the Terry Sanford Easter Tournament. The game started off positive for the Eagles with three runs on the board in the first inning as the sun was setting over the Terry Sanford ballpark. Senior first-basemen Zamar Lewis batted in senior outfielder Marlan Davis with an RBI single to draw first blood. Senior pitcher and shortstop Ty Mathis crushed a pitch down the middle of the plate over the left-field fence to bring Lewis and himself home for the 3-0 start.
Mathis started on the mound for the Eagles and started the first inning with a couple of walks but was able to get out of the first inning unscathed with the help of his defense. The Bulldogs sophomore pitcher Ethan Nobles started the game and made quick work of the Eagles lineup in the second inning with three straight groundouts at the top of the second. Mathis sat down three batters and allowed a hit to end the second inning quickly.
The Eagles were able to extend their lead with two more runs on sacrifice flies from Mathis and junior third-basemen Jake Futrell to go up 5-0. Terry Sanford’s bats came alive in their half of the third inning and their opponents struggled to get an out. After three straight walks and the bases loaded, the Bulldogs were able to get the first run across the plate on a wild pitch.
Catcher Andrew Kittinger smashed a 2-RBI single down the gap to make the game 5-3 shortly thereafter. Senior Coleman Tatum entered the game to relieve Mathis but hit the first batter faced to load the base once more. The Bulldogs were able to score two more runs on passed balls to tie the game at 5-5 before the end of the third inning. The Eagles responded with an RBI single from Davis before getting another run across on a fielding era to reclaim the lead at 7-5. Davis attempted to steal home from third base after a wild pitch but couldn’t make it in time to end the top of the fourth inning.
Terry Sanford was awarded two straight walks before senior Lance Noon bunted and beat out a frantic throw to first to load the bases. The Bulldogs got their sixth run on a wild pitch and Tatum was relieved by junior right-hander Na’Toren Corbett. Kittinger stepped up and loaded the bases with an infield single to load the bases with no outs. The Bulldogs quickly ran the score up to 11-7 before their opponents could scrape together the necessary three outs.
The Eagles left the top of the fifth inning with nothing and their opponents tacked on one more run during their at-bat. East Bladen put up a fight in the last two innings and were able to get on the board with senior Weston Hatcher crossing the plate on a wild pitch and Davis hitting a sacrifice fly toward center field to make the game 12-9. Barnes was called upon to relieve Corbett and he kept the Bulldogs scoreless with a runner stranded on second base.
Mathis led off with a double dropping in center field to give the Eagles some hope in the top of the seventh. Futrell wasn’t able to get on base after being struck out by freshmen Josh Mozingo. Hatcher stepped up to the plate and sent a single to right field but an excellent throw from the outfielder prevented Mathis from running home. Barnes stepped up to the plate as the tying run and was able to get on base after taking a pitch to the body. Unfortunately, their hopes of a comeback evaporated with a double-play to end the game.