West Bladen Sweeps South View Easter Tournament, Sits Atop 2A East Rankings

West Bladen baseball team photo.

Hope Mills, NC - West Bladen Baseball turned in a championship-worthy performance at the South View Easter Tournament, sweeping all three of their weekend matchups and showcasing the depth, power, and poise that have them firmly positioned atop the 2A East.

With wins over Overhills, South Columbus, and South View, the Knights improved to 14-4 overall and remain in a three-way tie for first in the Southeastern Athletic Conference (SAC 6) alongside Clinton and Midway, all sitting at 6-2.

Leading the charge was Garrett Dunham, who was named Tournament MVP following a standout weekend at the plate and on the mound.

Game 1: West Bladen 13, Overhills 1

The Knights opened the tournament on Saturday afternoon with a dominant 13-1 win over Overhills. Dunham scored twice and added a hit, setting the tone early.

JT Hepler also reached base multiple times, scored twice, and drew two walks.

Cade Allen crossed the plate twice and drove in two runs, while Hunter Hester scored three times, adding a hit and an RBI.

Ashton Davis powered in three runs and reached base twice, while Tyler Lewis contributed a hit and an RBI.

Allister Russ added a run and an RBI, and Aiden Russ had a full stat line with a run, hit, RBI, and a walk.

Brady Durden tacked on a run and an RBI to round out the scoring.

Jonah Bryan scored once, and Josh Dawson had a plate appearance as every Knight played a role in the win.

Dunham was equally dominant on the mound, tossing three shutout innings with four strikeouts and just one hit allowed.

Lewis closed out the game in strong fashion, striking out six over 2.1 innings while giving up just one unearned run.

Game 2: West Bladen 9, South Columbus 4

Later that day, West Bladen pulled away from South Columbus thanks to a seven-run fourth inning that broke a 1-1 tie.

Dunham stayed hot with a single, two doubles, a walk, and an RBI, continuing to show why he earned MVP honors.

Hepler had another strong showing, racking up two singles, a triple, two RBIs, and scoring twice.

Jackson Smith added a single, and Allen drove in a run with a double and scored once. Hester added a double and a single, and Davis added another base hit.

Tyler Lewis scored twice and ripped a double, driving in a run.

Allister Russ stayed consistent with three singles, a run scored, and an RBI, while Aiden Russ reached base twice and scored. Brady Durden drove in two runs with a double of his own.

Davis pitched 4.1 innings, allowing just one earned run and striking out four. Hepler handled the next 1.1 innings before Smith came in to close things out, retiring all four batters he faced without allowing a hit or walk.

Game 3: West Bladen 9, South View 6

In Monday’s finale, the Knights built a comfortable 8-1 lead before South View staged a late five-run rally in the sixth. But West Bladen held firm behind timely hitting and solid closing work from the bullpen.

Dunham capped his MVP weekend with a single, a stolen base, and another run scored. Davis added a hit, while Allen produced two singles and two runs.

Lewis reached base twice, driving in a run and scoring once.

Allister Russ doubled and scored, Aiden Russ collected two hits and scored, and Daniel Bryan doubled and scored as well.

But it was Weston Hilburn who stole the spotlight in this one, launching two home runs and driving in five runs to carry the offense.

His power surge proved to be the difference-maker in a game that tightened late.

Durden took the mound to start, giving the Knights 5.2 innings while allowing only one earned run out of six total.

Lewis closed things down again, delivering 1.1 scoreless innings with one strikeout and no hits allowed.

West Bladen currently holds the tiebreaker in the SAC 6 due to their #1 RPI ranking in the 2A East as of April 22nd.

Clinton is currently ranked #10 and Midway #4. With each team having two conference games remaining after Spring Break, the final stretch will be crucial.

The Knights return to action against Red Springs on April 29th and May 2nd. With a sweep, they could lock in the conference title and further boost their already strong playoff position.

Currently ranked #1 in the 2A East by both the NCHSAA RPI and MaxPreps, and #31 overall in the state, West Bladen is proving it has the roster depth, momentum, and grit to make a deep postseason run.

And with every player stepping up when it matters most, this team isn’t just winning—they’re earning it.

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West Bladen Sweeps South View Easter Tournament, Sits Atop 2A East Rankings