Carter Horton stands for a photo Friday, April 12, after helping his team win the Region 4-4A district championship against Newton County.

DECATUR — For the second year in a row West Lauderdale clinches the Region 4-4A title.

Behind some timely hitting along with the stellar pitching of Carter Horton the Knights got past Newton County 4-1 at Mack Fanning Field on Friday night.

West Lauderdale (19-4) and Newton County (18-8) will face either North Pontotoc or Senatobia in the first round of the MHSAA Class 4A baseball playoffs beginning next Friday night.

“Carter has pitched in some big games all year and that’s what we expect from him. Super proud of his performance in a great atmosphere,” said West Lauderdale coach Jason Smith. “His ability to throw three pitches for strikes especially his change up was the difference. In the game. We were able to score some runs when we needed too and really proud of the guys for competing.”

Horton was set to come into the season as the main bullpen guy, but with the loss of ace pitcher Ian Herrington to a season ending shoulder injury Horton was named a starter and has answered the call.

Horton pitched six and two-thirds innings scattering four hits, one run, four walks, and had 11 strikeouts to improve to 6-0 on the season.

“My off-speed was working real good during the first couple of innings and didn’t really have to command my fast ball. Change up was effective all game and basically everything went well,” Horton said. “Offense definitely makes you pitch better and has everything rolling. Beginning of the year it was going to be Ian and Caden (Boswell) has starters, and I was going to be a reliever, but this year I had to step up and get a starting role and have been doing alright. It’s great to win the division, and it’s back to business.”

The Knights took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning as Cody Pigford slapped an RBI single to right. Caden Boswell extended the West Lauderdale lead to 2-0 in the third on a RBI single to left.

A throwing error in the top of the sixth gave the Knights (19-4) a 3-0 lead.

Newton County cut the lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth as Hayden Amis hit a leadoff double to left center and later scored on a groundout.

The Knights extended the lead to 4-1 in the seventh on an RBI single to left by Kayden Peoples.

“We’ve been able to play so many players in different aspects and very us to our top pitcher due to injury and for all the other guys to step up has been huge,” Smith said. “District championships are important to us and the program because you get home field advantage in the playoffs.”

Trent Renfrow (4-2) took the loss on the mound for Newton County. The Cougars left eight men on base, including the bases loaded in the first inning and two runners in scoring position in the second inning.

“Both games in the series we had chance to put up a big number first, and against a good team like that getting ahead early and taking advantage of opportunities is so key and we didn’t do that,” said Newton County coach Jordan Smith. “Both teams pitched well in both games and when we made a mistake they made us pay for it. When you get to this time of the season timely hits are so important and we didn’t do that tonight.”