Knight comes up big for Raiders

By By Austin Bishop/Special to The Star
April 27, 2001
MADDEN Lamar School senior Jeff Knight stepped up big down the stretch for the visiting Raiders on Thursday night, as he pitched 2.1 scoreless innings and ripped a clutch run-scoring double in the top of the seventh to lead his team to a 12-9 win over Leake Academy.
The Raiders had scored nine runs in the top of the second inning and picked up another one in the fourth to build up a 10-2 lead.
But the homestanding Rebels wouldn't go away, scoring seven times in the bottom of the fifth to cut it to 10-9. Knight came into the game with the bases loaded and Lamar leading by two runs at 10-8. After a wild pitch scored one run, Knight coaxed the hitter to fly out to end the inning.
He then set the side down in order in the sixth and after Jonathan Moore singled to lead off the bottom of the seventh for Leake, retired the next three hitters to earn the save. Jamie Fontan picked up the win for Lamar.
The Raiders picked up a pair of key runs in the top of the seventh to snatch some of the momentum away from Leake.
After the first batter got out, Drew Moffett singled to right and stole second before moving to third on a wild pitch. Justin Brewer walked, then stole second, putting two runs in scoring position.
Senior second baseman Ryan Satcher then delivered a sacrifice fly to right to score Moffett before Knight doubled in Brewer.
Leake coach Josh Ray said he was pleased with the way his team kept battling.
Monroe Mayfield had three singles to lead Lamar, while Jared McKee picked up a pair.
Joshua Chamblee, Nathan Busby and Justin Chancellor each ripped a double to lead Leake at the plate.