West Bladen Stays Hot with 6-5 Win Over Clinton in SAC 6 Battle

West Bladen Softball team photo.

Bladenboro, NC - The West Bladen Lady Knights have now won six of seven games after a big win Friday night, edging out Clinton 6-5 in a back-and-forth Southeastern Athletic Conference (SAC 6) matchup.

The victory capped off a sweep of the Dark Horses, who fell to 3-8 on the season. West Bladen, now 6-5 overall and 3-1 in conference play, is surging at the right time with a pivotal game against Midway looming on Tuesday.

After cruising past Clinton 9-1 earlier in the week, the Lady Knights had to dig a little deeper this time, using a big fourth inning and a clutch late-inning hit to hold off a rally.

Allison Hickman once again started for the team from the circle, tossing five innings in the game. She gave up just one hit and struck out eight while battling through five walks. Hickman’s presence was just as strong at the plate, where she collected two hits, scored a run, and drove in another during the Knights’ pivotal fourth inning.

The scoring started in the bottom of the fourth when Natalee Sykes hustled home on a sacrifice bunt from Brenna Hester, who later added a hit and an RBI. Marlie Walters kept the inning alive by drawing one of her two walks and later scored on a sharp single from Hickman.

Kallie Bass followed, working a walk and eventually crossing the plate on a fly ball misplayed in left field, giving West Bladen a 4-0 lead.

Addison Wilcox capitalized on that miscue, driving in a run and reaching second on the error. She would later score on a two-RBI double by Marlene Crabtree in the sixth inning.

Crabtree also drew a walk, staying patient at the plate all night. Her two-run hit proved to be the difference, widening the gap just enough before Clinton mounted a final charge. She also closed the pitching duties in the last two innings, giving up only two hits and striking out two to close out the win for the Lady Knights.

Sykes turned in a solid night in the leadoff spot with a hit, a walk, and a run scored. Walters showed discipline at the plate with two walks and scored once, helping set the table for the middle of the order.

Kali Allen added a hit and reached base twice on walks, while Bass continued to spark the bottom of the lineup, scoring twice and showing her hustle on the basepaths.

Though Clinton made it close with a pair of late runs in the sixth and seventh innings, the Knights’ defense held strong behind Hickman to close it out.

With the win, West Bladen moves into strong contention in the SAC 6 standings.

Tuesday’s matchup against conference-leading Midway (4-0 in SAC 6 play) will be one to watch, as the Lady Knights aim to stay in the hunt for the top spot.

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West Bladen Stays Hot with 6-5 Win Over Clinton in SAC 6 Battle