Robbinsville – The Black Knights shook off a succession of conference losses in resounding fashion Tuesday, trouncing Cherokee in a five-inning, 12-1 affair on Senior Night.
The visiting Braves' only run came in the top of the first, when Shiloh Woodson scored on a throwing error. Robbinsville (5-15, 4-7) took control with a nine-run bottom of the third, which started on the excitement of starting pitcher Luke Lovin reaching base thanks to a bunt.
Quinn Jumper followed with a hit, before Easton Shuler singled to bring in Lovin. Tytan Teesateskie stepped up next and promptly sent a two-run hit to the outfield, pulling the Knights ahead 3-1.
Cherokee (2-11, 1-10) attained the next two outs, but the floodgates opened again when Bryce Adams reached on an error and Teesateskie charged home in the chaos. Avery Webster went on to single, before Adams scored thanks to another Braves miscue. Lovin then aided his own cause further by successfully dropping another bunt, squeezing Avery Webster across the dish.
Dayne Webster added to the fun by scoring on a Cherokee fielding error, before Jumper connected to bring in Lovin.
The outpour was finally halted when Shuler popped out to Braves hurler Kyler Crowe – but not before Jumper dashed home on a wild pitch.
Robbinsville picked up right where it left off in the fourth, when Teesateskie doubled to begin the home-half of the frame. Rylen Orr attempted to beat out a dropped third strike during the next at-bat, which gave Teesateskie a chance to sneak home and plate the Black Knights' 10th run. Adams followed with a hit and later scored on a wild pitch, while Jumper went on to drive in the final run on a two-out, bases-loaded single that brought Avery Webster into home.
Lovin (2-5) struck out six Braves hitters and even factored into the wild ending: a 1-6-5-2-5-1 double play, which saw Lovin successfully snuff out Dillon Beam on a pickoff throw at second. The ensuing scramble caught Woodson in a rundown between third and home, with Lovin ultimately ending the hijinks by tagging out Woodson near the plate.
The Knights tried a rally bid late Monday against Swain County (11-7, 10-2), but fell short in a 10-7 loss to the Maroon Devils.
Additionally, Robbinsville was shut out by Hayesville (12-7, 11-0) in a home/away doubleheader Friday: 11-0, 12-0. The conference champions only surrendered one hit to the Black Knights, which came thanks to Jumper in Game 1.
Robbinsville finishes the regular season today at Cherokee.