COLLINSVILLE — Ben Ethridge picked the right night to set a career high.

The Southern Miss signee struck out a career-high 14 batters in six innings as West Lauderdale got past Poplarville 10-2 in Game 1 of the second round of the MHSAA Class 4A baseball playoffs Friday night.

Game 2 between the Knights (24-3) and Hornets (21-8) is set for 7 p.m. Saturday at Poplarville.

“Ben threw really well tonight, and we can always count on him,” West Lauderdale coach Jason Smith said. “We came out with a lot of energy and intensity and were able to jump on them early.”

Ethridge (10-0) only scattered five hits in those six innings, walked one and gave up two runs, none of which were earned)

“We got the one run, and then Braden hit a home run, and that made me feel more comfortable,” Ethridge said. “I was able to locate my fastball tonight and throw it anywhere I wanted to and then use my offspeed pitches.”

All West Lauderdale needed was one big inning.

The Knights scored six runs in the bottom of the third inning on just three hits and capitalized on three Poplarville errors to take a 6-0 lead. Braden Luke hit a three-run home run to right field to highlight the inning.

“Some of the guys in the dugout said I was walking to the plate with a different mindset,” Luke said. “I sat back on the first fastball, and then I said to myself, ‘If he throws it again, I’m going to sit on it,’ and he did. Any run we can put on the board, we feel very reliable with the pitchers we have that can finish the game.”

West Lauderdale added on two more runs in the fourth and sixth innings to pull away. Mason Willis and Brett Mason had two hits each for the Knights.

“I feel like one through nine we are tough outs because we put the ball in play a lot,” Smith said. “Now we have to go down there and try to close out the series.”

Jordan Belsome (8-2) took the loss on the mound for Poplarville. Brady Tynes had two hits for the Hornets.

“We had an opportunity early and missed a squeeze and runner thrown out, and then we went out and kicked it around and we played from behind,” Poplarville coach Slade Jones said. “We will make adjustments and go back out tomorrow and try to force a Game 3.”