Balanced Attack, Sharp Pitching Lift West Bladen Past St. Pauls, 5-2

Hunter Hester on the mound for West Bladen.

St. Paul's, NC – West Bladen continued its strong early-season run with a 5-2 road win over St. Pauls on Tuesday evening. The Knights improved to 6-1 overall and opened conference play with a 1-0 mark.

They’ll look to carry that momentum into Friday’s home rematch with the Bulldogs.

The Knights struck early, putting up four runs in the top of the second inning. Tyler Lewis got things rolling, crossing the plate on a ground ball by Weston Hilburn to open the scoring.

Shortly after, Ashton Davis came home on a passed ball to double the lead. Hunter Hester added a spark with a hit and later scored on Allister Russ’ line-drive single to center.

Russ would finish the night with two hits and two RBIs.

West Bladen Baseball Assistant Coach Trevor Lesane.

Jonah Bryan, coming in as a pinch runner, capped the inning by scoring on another passed ball to make it 4-0.

St. Pauls answered in the bottom of the third with a pair of runs, but West Bladen tacked on an insurance run in the fifth when Lewis scored again — this time on Russ’ second RBI single, a fly ball to center.

On the mound, senior Garrett Dunham got the start, pitching three innings to set the tone. Junior Hunter Hester came in and dominated the final four frames, allowing just one hit and no earned runs while striking out seven.

Jackson Smith fielding a ball at first base.

The Knights got contributions up and down the lineup.

Junior Jackson Smith collected a hit, and junior J.T. Hepler added one of his own. Senior Cade Allen reached base twice with a hit and a walk, keeping pressure on the St. Pauls defense.

Davis, a sophomore, also notched a hit and scored a run. Lewis stood out with a pair of hits, a walk, and two runs scored, consistently setting the table at the top of the order.