Knights defeat Enterprise in Friday road game

Published 5:21 am Saturday, March 15, 2025

ENTERPRISE — Xavier Thompson picked the right time to have the game of his life.

The sophomore designated hitter went 5-for-5 with six runs batted in to help lead West Lauderdale to a 13-3 run-ruled win over Enterprise-Clarke in six innings on Friday night.

“Xavier has been playing really well for us and has been hitting the ball really well. He’s had a great start to the season,” said West Lauderdale coach Jason Smith. “He does really well with his two-strike approach and has power to all fields. Really proud of him for stepping up in a spot that we need him.”

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Thompson started the game off with an RBI single to left to give West Lauderdale a 1-0 lead. Carter Horton followed with another RBI single to left to give the Knights a 2-0 lead.

West Lauderdale extended their lead to 3-0 in the third as Horton scored on a wild pitch.

Enterprise-Clarke rallied with three runs in the bottom of the third to tie the game 3-3 as Henry Powell drew a bases loaded walk, Hayden Griffen scored on a wild pitch and Brody Smith had an RBI groundout.

Thompson gave the Knights the lead for good at 4-3 with an RBI single to center in the fourth.

The fifth inning was the difference as West Lauderdale scored six runs to take a 10-3 lead highlighted by a Thompson two-run double and a two-run single by Jacob Wooten.

Thompson’s three-run home run to right field in the sixth gave the Knights the 13-3 lead to seal the 10-run rule effect.

Wooten and Horton also had multiple hits for West Lauderdale (11-2). Ridge Brown (4-1) got the win on the mound for the Knights lasting four innings allowing three hits, three runs, two walks, and had six strikeouts.

“Enterprise is a really good team, and we’re always going to get the other team’s best effort, and we struggled with an inning that they tied up, but our kids did a great job responding,” Smith said. “We did a great job putting together hits, aggressive on the bases, and that’s what made us pull ahead. Pitching was really good. We’ve played a tough schedule, so we’re looking forward to district play.”

Toby Thornhill took the loss on the mound for Enterprise-Clarke. The Bulldogs fell to 5-9.