After a week of state testing in the classroom, the Wesson Cobras and Enterprise Yellow Jackets return to the Class 2A state playoffs. Enterprise’s softball and baseball teams are at Clarkdale Friday for Game 1 of a best-of-three series. Wesson’s baseball team is at Taylorsville Friday night.

     Action resumes Saturday, with Wesson and Enterprise returning to their home fields for Game 2 on the South state semifinals. Game 3, if necessary, will be played Monday at Taylorsville and Clarkdale.

     Wesson’s Cobras, coached by Seth Lofton, faces a familiar opponent. They battled Taylorsville in last year’s South State championship series, won in Game 3 by Taylorsville.

     “Taylorsville graduated a couple of guys and so did we,” said Lofton. “They are a talented baseball team.”

     Lofton said he expects his Cobras to play well against Taylorsville. “We beat ourselves last year. We are excited to get another chance at them.”

     Starting for the Cobras are pitcher Bailey Warren,  catcher Paxton Cupit, first baseman Josh Smith, second base Quentin Munn, shortstop Kaleb Skinner, third baseman Cullen Greer, leftfielder Alex Smith, centerfielder Zach Stafford,  rightfielder Jacob Fischer, and designated hitter Payton Cupit.

     Wesson eliminated East Webster last week. Lofton’s crew rebounded from an extra-inning, 6-5 loss to beat the Wolverines 1-0 and 11-1.

     The Cobras (15-12) play Friday night at 7 p.m., at Taylorsville. On Saturday, Wesson hosts the Tartars at 7.

     Enterprise (16-12) captured the Region 7-2A title and received an opening round bye. The Jackets rebounded from an 11-1 loss to Lumberton in Game 1 to beat the Panthers 6-3 and 2-1.

     “Clarkdale is pretty strong defensively,” said Enterprise coach Cass Brister. “I know they have one real good arm (pitcher). They like to play a lot of small-ball.”

     Brister said he is confident his team can prevail in the series. “If we play defense and hit the ball, we can stay in the game.”

     His Jackets visit Clarkdale Friday at 7 p.m. On Saturday, the Jackets return home to host the Bulldogs for a 7 p.m. game. If Game 3 is necessary, it will be played Monday at 5 p.m., at Clarkdale.

     Starting for  Enterprise Friday will be pitcher Jackson Cole (7-1), catcher Blake Fugler, first baseman Braxton Foster, second baseman Lance Spring, third baseman Dylan Smith, shortstop Konner Burke, leftfielder Logan Killingsworth, centerfielder Leighton Jordan and rightfielder Austin Fuller.

     Enterprise starting catcher Chance Owens  was hit by a pitch in Game 1 and it broke a bone just above his left elbow in the playoff game against Lumberton.  Owens was Enterprise’s leadoff batter.

     Enterprise girls rookie head coach Ashley Jones directed her Lady Jackets to a sweep of Scott Central in the second round of the Class 2A state playoffs. Enterprise (15-8) won the Region 7-2A title and earned an opening round bye.

     Enterprise plays Clarkdale at 5 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, Enterprise hosts Clarkdale at 1 p.m. If Game 3 is necessary, it will be played at 3 p.m., at Enterprise.

     “Their pitching is not too strong but they have real solid hitters,” said Jones, describing Clarkdale. “Our girls are ready to play. They must focus on the task.”

     Starting for the Lady Jackets are pitcher Hannah Moak, catcher Kayla Britt, first baseman Kelsey Hux, second baseman Kristin Jergins, third baseman Taylor Nelson, shortstop Haley Brazell,  leftfielder Samantha Stuart, centerfielder Terrah Nelson and rightfielder Ashley Boyd.