Junior Alex Coates pitched a complete game 4-hitter as East Bladen opened the Dixie Pre-Majors Baseball season with an 8-1 victory at West Bladen Tuesday night.
Freshman shortstop Sincere Smith belted 3 hits to lead the Eagles’ 12 hit attack. “We hit the ball really good,” said East Bladen Coach Russell Priest who along with Knight mentor Kim Cain had to watch from the sidelines due to an NCHSAA rule that won’t allow the head varsity baseball coaches to coach a summer league game until school is out.
Junior Nikita Owens walloped a double and a triple for East Bladen, and freshman Xavier Wooten hammered a triple and a single.
Sophomore catcher Kyle Tatum slammed a double and a single and just missed a home run with a long foul ball that was barely foul. Freshman Devan Stocks and Tanner Meares added a single each for the Eagles.
Junior Donald McCullum smacked 2 hits to lead the Knight hitters. Sophomore Trent West started on the mound for West Bladen and was relieved by freshman Scott Bowen in the fourth inning.
“They hit the ball, and we didn’t,” said Coach Cain. The Knights will travel to West Brunswick Friday for a double-header that will begin at 6 p.m.
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