West Bladen Softball Wraps Regular Season with 20-2 Win over Red Springs

West Bladen Softball team photo.

Red Springs, NC - West Bladen Softball closed out their regular season with a commanding 20-2 victory over Red Springs, bringing their overall record to 10-7 and finishing Southeastern Athletic Conference play at 7-3.

With the regular season now behind them, the Lady Knights await their playoff fate. As of Friday morning at 11:22 a.m., they were projected as the 19th seed in the upcoming NCHSAA 2A state playoffs, though official brackets have yet to be confirmed.

The offensive surge began early and never let up, as nearly every player on the West Bladen roster contributed in some fashion.

Freshman Abigail Dew reached base twice, scoring once on a single and later reaching on an error. Fellow freshman Chloe Walters added a run and drove in a teammate with a productive at-bat in the heart of the order.

Junior Kali Allen had a standout game at the plate, scoring four runs while collecting two singles and a double. She reached base five times and tallied three RBIs, continuing to serve as a spark plug at the top of the lineup.

The biggest highlight of the night came off the bat of freshman Bristol Allen, who notched her first career home run—a towering left-handed blast over the right-field fence. She finished the game with two RBIs, a walk, and one of the team’s many offensive exclamation points.

Senior Marlie Walters made her presence known as well, reaching base in four of her five plate appearances with a double and two walks, crossing the plate twice.

Junior Brenna Hester chipped in with a single and an RBI, while sophomore Karlee Gause drew a walk in her lone appearance. Senior Marlene Crabtree made the most of her four at-bats, knocking a single and a double, driving in one run and scoring twice.

Junior Natalee Sykes kept the pressure on Red Springs’ defense, recording a double, an RBI, and reaching base three times via a walk and a hit-by-pitch.

Senior Holland Davis contributed by reaching base on an error and later scoring, while freshman Addison Wilcox had an electric game, scoring four runs and tallying both a single and a double in five at-bats. She reached base in four of her five trips.

Sophomore Diyarı McKoy stayed active on the basepaths as well, reaching on an error, drawing a walk, and scoring once. Senior Lauren Douglas made the most of her lone at-bat, lacing a double into the outfield.

In the field, West Bladen remained composed and efficient. Kallie Bass anchored the defense with three putouts, while Douglas added three of her own.

Addison Wilcox was active at third base, recording three assists. Bristol Allen and Diyarı McKoy each chipped in from the outfield, and Kali Allen and Marlene Crabtree both contributed to the infield defense with timely assists and putouts.

Crabtree also delivered a strong performance in the circle, pitching all four innings. She allowed just three hits and two runs—only one of them earned—while striking out one and walking one.

Now, West Bladen turns its focus to the playoffs.

With their regular season campaign concluded, the Lady Knights look to carry this momentum into postseason play as they await official word from the NCHSAA.

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West Bladen Softball Wraps Regular Season with 20-2 Win over Red Springs