WESSON – The Wesson Cobras survived a close eight inning nail-biter Tuesday night to prevail 4-3 over the St. Andrews Saints in game one of the best-of-three series in round three of the Class 3A state baseball playoffs.

The Cobras (17-4) will return to action Thursday as they travel to Ridgeland to take on the St. Andrews Saints in game two. The game is set to begin at 7 p.m.

Wesson 4, St. Andrews 3 

The Wesson Cobras and the St. Andrews Saints provided an exciting defensive contest for the baseball fans in a low scoring contest.

Both teams came out and got on the scoreboard early in the first inning as the Saints scored one run in the top of the first inning and Wesson answered in the bottom of the first inning to tie the game at 1-all.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Cobras plated a run to take command of the game at 2-1.

In the top of the fifth inning, the Saints rallied back and scored two runs to take over the lead at 3-2.

After battling through three scoreless innings, the Cobras managed to push across one run in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the game at 3-all to force extra innings.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Cobras managed to secure the victory off a game winning RBI single from Max Daughdrill to score Mac McQuage.

Mack Smith went the distance on the mound for the Cobras to collect the win. Smith finished with 11 strikeouts and two walks in an eight inning performance.

Graham Grogan suffered the loss on the rubber for the Saints with one strikeouts and two walks while pitching in relief. Bennre Kirkland (11K, 7BB) started for St. Andrews and pitched seven innings.

Ryan Traxler was the top hitter for the Cobras with a triple. Tyler McLeod, Mack Smith, Mac McQuage and Max Daughdrill hit safely. Top fielder for Wesson was Alex Mooney with six outs at first base.

Graham Grogan paced the St. Andrews’ offense with two singles. Kenny Bryson contributed a triple. John William Hardwick provided a double. Hitting safely were Chris Boyle, Sam Mills and Mark McCullan. Top fielder for the Saints was Boyle with six outs on first base.