WESSON – The Wesson Cobras finished the regular season on a winning note with an 8-2 baseball victory over the Hazlehurst Indians Monday night.

“The guys did a good job swinging the bats tonight,” said Wesson coach Seth Lofton. “Overall, we had great pitching and defensive effort. It is great to finish the regular season with a win. Now, we must start preparing for the playoffs.”

The Cobras (20-5, 9-1) will have the rest of the week off to enjoy an opening round bye in the Class 2A State Baseball Playoffs. Wesson returns to action next Thursday, May 2, and hosts the winner of the Lake/Eupora series.

The Indians (12-15, 5-3), coached by Trey Lindsey, begin their march in the Class 3A playoffs this week. They visit West Marion Friday at 6 p.m. and return home to host the Trojans Saturday at 1 p.m.

Wasson 8, Hazlehurst 2

The Cobras and Indians battled in an early preview of 2014 region rivals as both schools used the opportunity to tune up their offense and defense for the playoffs.

Wesson overpowered Hazlehurst in the five innings of action as the Cobras grabbed an early 7-0 lead.

The Indians managed to break up Wesson’s shutout in the top of the sixth inning and push across two runs.

The Cobras increased their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning with an insurance run for a 8-2 advantage.

Bailey Warren was the winning pitcher for the Cobras with five strikeouts and two walks. Kaleb Skinner (1K, 1BB) and Max Smith (1K, 0BB) pitched the final two inning in relief.

Jarvis Warner suffered the loss for the Indians with no strikeouts, six walks and one hit batter.

Senior first baseman Cullen Greer sparked the Cobras offense with a two-run home run in the first inning and a single. Alex Smith fueled the flames with two doubles. Jase Alexander and Quentin Munn contributed a pair of singles. Justin Boone and Warren hit safely.

Johnkil Skipper was the offensive leader for the Indians with a double. Marcus Jordan and Warner hit a single each.

“Errors killed us,” said Lindsey. “The guys hit the ball well and hard, but we could not catch any breaks to get something going offensively.”

In junior varsity action, Wesson blanked Hazlehurst 4-0.

Max Daughdrill, Connor Lowery and Matthew Burns directed the Cobras at the plate with a single apiece.