Robbinsville – The Black Knights seemingly had things well in-hand Friday: Robbinsville held a 4-1 lead over Murphy on its home field, as the divisional showdown entered the sixth inning.
But the visiting Bulldogs had other plans, coming to life in a pair of four-run segments to stun the Knights 9-4 and sweep the season series with Robbinsville (4-10, 3-4).
Easton Shuler unloaded a solo homer in the bottom of the third, to get the hosts on the board first. The Knights tacked on its final three runs in the fourth, when Luke Lovin connected for a two-run single that scored Tytan Teesateskie and Bryce Adams. Quinn Jumper followed with a hit that sent Avery Webster charging home.
Peyton Bain scored on a wild pitch to end the shutout in the fifth, but Murphy (4-8, 4-2) grabbed the lead in the sixth, when Adam Cook snagged a hit to plate Zack Hogsed and Colton Morgan. Aayden Williams scampered across on a sacrifice flyout off the bat of Carter Adams moments later.
For insurance, Bain singled to score Jonah Godsey in the seventh. Williams was then hit by a pitch to bring home Hogsed; Caleb Kephart drew a bases-loaded walk to usher in Cook; and Adams grounded out to drive in Michael Brown.
Tough tale from Tellico
Tellico Plains, Tenn. – Faced with an early deficit, the Black Knights continued to battle to the finish line in a five-inning, 13-3 road loss at Tellico Plains on April 3.
The hosting Bears plated two in the first and eight in the second, but Robbinsville attempted to claw back in the third. Everett Taylor sprinted home on an error, while Jumper charged in thanks to a wild pitch.
Tellico Plains (9-10) placed two more in the run column during its portion of the third, but the Knights managed one more in response: Teesateskie scored on an error in the fourth.
Robbinsville dropped its conference road game to Swain County (8-6, 7-2) on Tuesday, 4-3. Individual stats from the game were not available by Wednesday's press deadline.