COLLINSVILLE — They say two-out hitting is what win games in playoffs.

 

West Lauderdale did just that as the Knights got two key two-out hits in the fifth and sixth innings to help get past North Pontotoc 5-2 in Game 1 of their MHSAA Class 4A Second Round baseball playoff series at Jerry Boatner Field on Saturday night.

 

Game 2 of the series is set for Monday at 7 p.m. at North Pontotoc.

 

“Found a way to get some people on base in the fifth and sixth and got big two-out hits,” said West Lauderdale coach Jason Smith. “Carter Horton had a big hit and pitched an outstanding game. Super proud of the team continuing to play pitch after pitch.”

 

North Pontotoc struck first in the top of the first on an RBI single to left by Cam Abbott.

 

West Lauderdale tied the game in the bottom of the second on a Carter Horton RBI single to right field.

 

With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the fifth Horton delivered a two-run single to give the Knights a 3-1 lead.

 

North Pontotoc cut the lead to 3-2 in the top of the sixth on a Rylan Kentner RBI single.

 

The Knights answered as Xavier Thompson hit a two-run double in the bottom half to extend the lead to 5-2.

 

Horton finished 2-for-3 at the plate with three RBI’s to lead West Lauderdale offensively and got the win on the mound tossing five-and-two-thirds innings allowing 10 hits, two runs and had nine strikeouts to improve to 8-0 on the mound.

 

“I struggled at first couldn’t locate my fast ball or my off speed, so I just told myself just go fight,” Horton said. “I got out of some jams and at the plate just shorten up and put the ball in play. It’s great to get Game 1 at home.”

 

Thompson and Hunter Russell added two hits for West Lauderdale (23-3).

 

“North Pontotoc hit the ball well tonight and we were fortunate to able to get out of jams,” Smith said. “We had a great atmosphere here tonight, so it was big to get this one.”

 

Kentner (5-4) took the loss on the mound for North Pontotoc and also had three hits at the plate. Abbott and Landon Williams each had two hits a piece for the Vikings (17-13).

 

“Difference in the game is they got the big hit, and we didn’t. We left bases loaded three times,” said North Pontotoc coach Chad Anthony. “West Lauderdale has a great club and give them credit they got hit. We swung the bats well and now we’re in a position we’ve been before, so guys have done a good job of coming back and competing, so Monday we will do that.”