BURGAW — The Lady Knights walloped two home runs, put 12 runs on the board over the first three innings and came home with a 12-1 Four County Conference win over Pender County on Tuesday.
West Bladen improved to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the conference.
“We expected a tight game, but we played outstanding,” said West Bladen coach Joey Autry. “This was such a good team effort, top to bottom.”
The Lady Knights jumped all over Pender County with three first-inning runs when Kassidy Anderson led off with a single and, after moving up on two groundouts, Laikyn Pait laced an RBI single. After Pait stole second base, Carley Dawson stroked a run-scoring single and then stole second herself. After a walk, Conner Brisson smacked an RBI single for a 3-0 lead.
In the second inning, West Bladen scored five runs to open an 8-0 advantage. Jenna Dove reached on an error, Anderson singled and errors on Logan Autry’s bunt brought all three runners home. Pait followed with a single, stole second and Dawson brought her home with a single. Moments later, Brisson’s single scored Dawson.
In the third, Dove took first on another error, Anderson followed with a single and Alanna Ludlum belted a three-run home run for an 11-0 lead. One batter later, Dawson smoked a solo home run to close out the West Bladen scoring.
The Lady Patriots averted the shutout with a solo home run in the fifth inning.
“We did a lot of little things well,” coach Autry said. “I’m real happy with where we are at this stage (of the season).”
Sophia Singletary twirled a four-hitter and walked two to earn the win from the circle.
At the plate, Dawson was 3-for-3 with the home run and three RBI; Anderson finished 3-for-4; Pait was 2-for-3 with an RBI; Brisson was 2-for-3 with two RBI; and Ludlum had the home run and three RBI.
W. Curt Vincent can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.