WESSON — The Wesson Cobras rallied in the fifth and sixthinnings to defeat Enterprise-Clarke 4-2 in the decisive Game 3Monday night and eliminate the Bulldogs from the second round ofthe MHSAA Class 2A state baseball playoffs.

“I am very proud of the guys for battling hard to keep the gameclose,” said Wesson coach Seth Lofton. “Our senior did a great jobstepping up and getting the key hits when we needed them.”

The Cobras (17-11) advance to the third round of the playoffs.Wesson will travel to battle the Richton Rebels, Friday. The Cobrasreturn home to host the Rebels, Saturday. Game 3, if necessary,will be back at Richton.

The Bulldogs, coached by Jeremy Wilkins, have concluded theirseason with 17-10 worksheet.

Wesson 4, Enterprise-Clarke 2

Baseball fans witnessed an epic battle between two pitchers, GageWilson of Wesson and Maxwell Harmon of Enterprise-Clarke, duelingit out to give their team a shot to win the game.

The Bulldogs came out in the first inning and scored their only tworuns in the contest.

The Cobras finally put their first run on the scoreboard in thebottom of the third inning. Wesson managed to tied the game, 2-2,when Pat Boone hit a long sacrifice fly to right center to scoreMatt Smith from second base.

The Cobras rose to the challenge in the bottom of the sixth as theysaw a chance to shut the door on the Bulldogs and close out theseries. Wesson took advantage of the Harmon’s fatigue on the moundand patiently waited on their pitch to hit or a walk.

Wesson senior Gib Britt took the moment by hitting a single to sendhome teammate Josh Smith and give the Cobras their first lead, 3-2.Wilson added an insurance run, 4-2, when he hit a fielder’s choiceto score Jacob Fischer from third.

Matt Smith got the save for Wesson, as he came in to pitch theseventh inning in relief, collecting two strikeouts and one walk.Wilson (3K, 4BB) pitched six innings as the starter and got thewin.

Harmon absorbed the loss for the Bulldogs as he went the distance,collecting four strikeouts and six walks.

Boone was the offensive leader for the Cobras with two singles.Matt Smith contributed a double. Britt had a single.

Enterprise-Clarke got only one hit for the game, which was a singleby Judd Clinton.

“We just could not get the big hits when we had runners on base,”said Wilkins. “I am proud of the guys for fighting hard. Wesson hasa good team and they got the key hits when they needed them whichturned out to be the deciding factor.”