Northeast Lauderdale’s Landon Harper tags out Clarkdale’s C. J. Harris as he attempts to steal second base Saturday afternoon.

Ken Scott hasn’t pitched much this season, but the Clarkdale senior came up big for the Bulldogs in a Saturday afternoon prep baseball matchup with Northeast Lauderdale.

Pitching in relief, Scott helped the host Bulldogs hold onto a 4-3 lead before the Clarkdale bats gave him some wiggle room, as the Bulldogs pulled away for a 7-3 win.

“I thought we we played a pretty complete game against a good quality team,” Clarkdale head coach Scott Gibson said. “They made a little run there in the fourth (to make it 4-3), and I love how we didn’t panic. We just got right back on them offensively, and I thought Ken Scott coming in was big-time for us.

“He hasn’t thrown a lot — I think he’s only had two or three innings going into this game, but he’s got maybe our most dynamic arm, and he’s a guy we’re going to have to have throw strikes and help us if we’re going to make a run at this thing.”

Scott pitched three innings for Clarkdale, surrendering no runs on one hit and three walks while striking out two. He also helped his cause with a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning.

“I’ve been throwing a couple of bullpens in practice to prepare for the games, because Coach told me they were going to make a decision on whether I’d be a playoff arm, so I had to get it done,” Scott said. “I felt good on the mound today versus a quality, 4A playoff team.”

Clarkdale jumped on Northeast Lauderdale early, scoring two runs apiece in the first two innings. A two-run single by C.J. Harris put the Bulldogs in front 2-0 after one inning of play, and Ethan Gunter and Kellen Spann both came home on a throwing error to first base in the bottom of the second when Griffin Cheatham laid down a bunt.

Northeast Lauderdale, however, cut the lead to 4-3 in the top of the fourth inning when starting pitcher Brock Butler helped his cause by smashing a three-run home run that also scored Lane Gordon and Luke Harper. At the time, the blast helped perk up the Trojans.

“I gave us a little excitement,” Northeast Lauderdale head coach Josh Snider said. “We were very flat today, and when he hit it, it did give us a little edge and got us going. It was big and good timing.”

Said Butler, “It was 2-0, so I was going to look to hit it a long way. I just saw an inside pitch, and I hit it. It kind of boosted our confidence, because we were down 4-0 and it was a three-run home run.”

Bulldogs starter Eli Eakes, who got the win, pitched the first four innings, surrendering three unearned runs on four hits with three strikeouts. He gave way to Scott in the top of the fifth, who managed to battle his way out of a bases-loaded jam without surrendering any runs.

“On the mound, it’s not just me and my catcher, it’s everyone on the field,” Scott said. “I got a couple of people to fly out, and I knew my defense would play behind me, so I knew if I just pitched strikes, I would get outs.”

The Clarkdale bats rewarded their pitcher in the bottom of the fifth by adding two more runs when Gunter drew a bases-loaded walk and Spann hit an RBI single. Scott then added his solo home run in the sixth inning to give the Bulldogs a 7-3 lead.

“I want to thank God for giving me the ability to play this game, and my parents, family and friends for standing behind me,” Scott said. “He’s (Trojans reliever Duncan Ziller) a good arm, too, but off the bat, I just knew it was gone. It just felt good.”

Harris went 2-for-3 for Clarkdale, and Easton Rainer and Scott both finished 2-for-4. Spann was a perfect 3-for-3.

No one for the Trojans had multiple hits. Butler suffered the loss, going 4 1/3 innings and giving up six runs, three earned, on six hits with two strikeouts and three walks. Ziller pitched 1 2/3 innings of relief, surrendering one run on three hits with one walk.

Northeast Lauderdale later played a nightcap at Southeast Lauderdale, leaving the Trojans thin on pitching, but Snider said it should help develop some arms for later on in the season.

“It’s always good to get guys’ work in, especially when you get in the playoffs and have to start using some guys,” Snider said. “It does have an advantage. Some guys need to get some work in that haven’t thrown much this year, so here’s their chance.”

Clarkdale (18-3) now has two key area games with Enterprise coming up this week.

“In all honestly, it’s what everything has been built up for every year between us two,” Gibson said. “Winner takes all as far as district goes and puts themselves in the driver’s seat in the playoffs. It’s what you play for around here in baseball, Clarkdale and Enterprise. We’re excited, and I know they’re excited. We respect them, and it’s going to be a big one.”