Northeast Lauderdale began its regular season with a 16-1 win against Clarkdale Friday night in the Lauderdale County Tournament at Southeast Lauderdale.

Playing through several rain showers, the Trojans defeated the Bulldogs in five innings of work, setting up a 2:30 p.m. Saturday showdown with Southeast Lauderdale, weather permitting.

Brock Butler got the win for the Trojans, pitching 3 1/3 innings and giving up one run on two hits while striking out five.

“We got the jitters out,” Northeast Lauderdale coach Josh Snider said. “I think we were a little tight. I know I was a little nervous. I always get nervous the first game, but it feels good to get the W. We still have a lot to work on. We still have to get better; we can’t get complacent. We’re trying to get ready for district games, and I was very pleased with our approach at the plate and Brock on the mound. He’s going to compete and fill it up, and I couldn’t ask for anything better. There are a few pitches I’d like to do over, but for the first real game of the year, it was an excellent job.”

Hunter Garrett had two hits for Northeast Lauderdale, and Braxton Lee was a perfect 3-for-3. Will Temple went 2-for-2 with two RBIs.

For Clarkdale, Ethan Gunter had an RBI, and Easton Rainer singled and scored for the Bulldogs. Nick Ivey took the loss for Clarkdale, surrendering seven runs on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts.

“We talk a lot about controlling the things we can control, and we have a bunch of guys who don’t have a lot of experience right now, so we’re going to keep grinding,” Clarkdale coach Scott Gibson said. “It is what it is. We’re going to try to get better from game to game. I thought we played hard, but you just can’t give them that experience, you have to go out there and get it.”

The Lauderdale County Tournament is a yearly opener for all four of the Lauderdale County schools, and Gibson said the tournament is a great way to kick off the season.

“To me what’s great about it is, anyone who loves baseball in the area is going to come out,” Gibson said. “It’s opening night, it’s baseball, it’s been a long-time (tradition).”

Clarkdale (0-1) will face West Lauderdale at noon Saturday. 

WEST LAUDERDALE 4, SE LAUDERDALE 1

Kameron Partridge got the win for the Knights as they opened their season with a win against Southeast Lauderdale Friday night.

Partridge pitched six innings of one-run ball while surrendering just one hit and striking out 13 batters. 

West Lauderdale scored two runs in the sixth and one run in the seventh to break a 1-1 tie after Zach Flaskamp hit a solo home run for Southeast Lauderdale in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Austin Davidson went 2-for-4 for West Lauderdale. Hunter Eldridge, Brett Mason, Chase Tilghman and Partridge each had an RBI for the Knights.

Flaskamp’s solo home run was Southeast Lauderdale’s only hit on the night.

West Lauderdale rose to 1-0 on the season, while Southeast Lauderdale fell to 0-1.