West Bladen secures victory, Fairmont keeps winning

West Bladen

BLADENBORO — The West Bladen Knights defeated the Red Springs Red Devils for a 14-6 victory on Tuesday in a SAC 7 conference match-up. Red Springs took an early 1-0 lead at the top of the second inning but their opponents had a chance to respond in their half of the inning. The Knights were able to load the bases but the Red Devils’ right-hander T. Locklear handled the pressure well.

Locklear was able to strike out a hitter and the Red Devil defense was there to back him up with a tag at third for two straight outs to conclude the second inning. Sophomore Brady Durden got the start on the mound for the Knights on Tuesday evening. Red Springs T. Ellerbee led off with a single to get his squad going at the top of the third.

The positive start quickly turned to three straight outs with the third out coming off an outstanding sliding stop and throw to first from sophomore shortstop Garrett Dunham. The Knights’ sophomore slugger Cade Allen led off for the host in the bottom of the third inning and was awarded first base after taking a pitch to the body. West Bladen junior Jordan Hester battled with Locklear and he came out the victor by getting on base with a walk.

Senior Bryce Fuller got on base with a bunt to load the bases and sophomore Mason Jones followed it up by batting in a runner to tie the game at 1-1. The Knights got a free run to cross the plate on a passed ball situation with no outs. Senior Hunter Elks crushed a 2-RBI double to the outfield as the Knights’ lead quickly ballooned. The nightmarish third inning finally came to an end for the Red Devils after two more runs crossed the plate and two relief pitchers later.

The Red Devils lineup found it difficult to get clean contact on the baseball as Durden was delivering heat on the mound with three strikeouts in the fourth inning. West Bladen continued where they left off in the bottom of the third inning with a flurry of hits. Fuller started off the bottom of the fourth with a single to left field but was caught stealing second base for an early out. Sophomore Mason Jones got on base with a walk and eventually rounded the bases to third on steals. Senior Hunter Smith loaded the bases after showing discipline at the plate to put two runners on.

Elks stepped up to the plate and brought home two more runs with a liner over the shortstop’s head to make the score 8-1. Red Springs wasn’t able to find a rhythm until the sixth inning with five runs to cross the plate to give them a bit of hope. The host responded with six more runs in their half of the sixth to put the game to bed.

West Bladen remains tied for third place in the SAC 7 and they will take on Red Springs once more this Thursday.

East Bladen

ELIZABETHTOWN — The Fairmont Golden Tornadoes defeated the East Bladen Eagles for a 4-1 victory on Tuesday. The Golden Tornadoes’ senior ace Noah Parker was a force to be reckoned with on top of the mound with 12 strikeouts and five hits allowed in seven innings pitched. The Eagles’ senior shortstop Evan Pait went 3-for-3 at the plate and scored the host’s lone run of the evening with the help of senior Ty Mathis. Fairmont senior Nate Jones and sophomore Kenly Callahan both finished with two RBIs to help seal the victory.

East Bladen and Fairmont will meet again this Thursday for their second meeting of the season.