Knights string together late rally for 1st league win
Robbinsville – The Black Knights made the most out of their last six outs.
Stymied all evening by Wildcats starting pitcher Ethan Sutton, Robbinsville pieced together a seven-run comeback in the final two innings of Friday's Smoky Mountain Conference home game with Andrews to nab both its first home and divisional wins of the year, 7-6.
Sutton kept the hosts in check throughout the first five innings, striking out 13 Black Knights as the Wildcats methodically built some run support. Logan Shuler scored on an error in the top of the first, before Logan Hyde swiped home on a wild pitch later in the frame. Aiden Garrett later roped a single to drive in Sutton during the third, before Kelby Waldroup led off the fifth with a solo homer.
Andrews (1-4, 1-4) settled into a 5-0 advantage after Tanner Postell connected for a two-out hit later in the fifth to drive in Braxton Rickett.
Sutton issued three walks in the game, with two coming in the bottom of the sixth. Dayne Webster and Quinn Jumper each drew the free passes to leadoff the segment, wrapped around a Peyton Brooks single. Rickett was called in from the bullpen and Tytan Teesateskie promptly whacked a hit to get Robbinsville (3-6, 2-1) on the board. Everett Taylor later flew out to left field to drive in Brooks.
Drew Dartez doubled to begin the seventh and later scored the final Cats run on an error, but Andrews could not deny the quest of the first-base dugout.
Luke Lovin led off the home half of the seventh with a hit, moments before Easton Shuler unloaded a two-run dinger than cut the deficit down to 6-4. Webster drew another walk and Brooks picked up another hit, which led to Jumper singling home pinch runner Avery Farley.
Though Andrews called on Waldroup to try and stop the bleeding, Teesateskie again found the outfield grass for an RBI, driving in pinch runner Zander Davis to knot the game up 6-6.
Benton Gibby drew an intentional walk that loaded the bases and two batters later, Bryce Adams was issued four balls to bring Jumper jogging home for the walk-off walk.
Robbinsville kept the good vibes rolling Tuesday by defeating Hiwassee Dam (1-9, 0-3) at home, 6-4. Individual stats from the game were not available by Wednesday's press deadline.