Clarkdale defeats Lake with district championship in sights
Published 8:02 am Saturday, March 29, 2025
- Cade Culpepper (13) gets the win for the Clarkdale Bulldogs Friday night over Lake. Photo by Jason Dyess
CLARKDALE — Clarkdale is in now in the drivers seat for the district championship.
Behind the stellar pitching of Cade Culpepper, along with a big first inning, the Bulldogs shutout Lake 5-0 to sweep the Region 5-2A series on Friday night at Jackie Roberson Field.
“Cade didn’t really have his best stuff tonight, but he battled the whole time with some tough hitters and kept grinding through for us,” said Clarkdale coach Josh Palmer. “All three pitches were working and even when he was behind in the count he just would battle back.”
Jax Joyner (7) blasts a three-run homer to help carry the Bulldogs to a win Friday night over Lake. Photo by Jason Dyess
The Bulldogs jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning as Eli Swearingen scored off a throwing error and Jax Joyner hit a three-run home run to left field.
Clarkdale (10-7, 4-0 Region 5-2A) added the fifth run in the fifth inning as Culpepper scored on a groundout.
“Jax’s big hit really helped and them trying to take extra bases and us throwing behind the runners were big,” Palmer said. “We still got four district games left, but this win puts us in the drivers seat. We feel really good now because Lake was going to be the toughest competition in the division, now we got to play it out and get the one seed. Just finally getting back in our routine and playing well, so hopefully we can keep this going.”
Culpepper (3-2) tossed a complete game two-hit shutout with 13 strikeouts for the Bulldogs.
“I was a little iffy with the fast ball today, but the defense behind me is really good so I know all I have to do is throw it over the plate and let the defense work,” Culpepper said. “After the home run going into the second inning that gave me a lot of confidence and knowing we can hit really well I had some run support to work with. We’re not overlooking Scott Central, but us and Lake were the top two teams in the district, so it was big to get these two wins.”
Lake fell to 16-4. Wes Nester took the loss on the mound for the Hornets.
“We kicked ourselves in the foot all night with the errors and base running mistakes,” said Lake coach Fred Hampton. “The first inning summed up the game. We got to keep doing what we’re doing and learn from every loss. Now we just got to get the two seed and hopefully get to see those guys again in the playoffs.”
