West Lincoln hosted Enterprise Tuesday night in a crucial district game between two Lincoln County rivals.

Tied 5-5 at the end of the seventh inning, the game went all the way to the 12th inning where Enterprise scored five runs and held on to beat West Lincoln 9-7. The win moves the Yellow Jackets to 12-7 overall and 7-3 in district play and drops West Lincoln to 17-2 overall and gives them their first loss in district play at 9-1.

Enterprise jumped out in front in the top of the second inning by scoring four runs. Senior Jeffery Daniels got things started for Enterprise with a two-out single and would later score on a throwing error to first base for the first run of the game. Cade Cangemi followed with a RBI single, scoring Marvin Butler to make it 2-0. Austin Fugler and Tanner Waldrop each hit an RBI single before the inning ended with a 4-0 Enterprise lead.

With two outs, West Lincoln scored before Austin Burris was thrown out at second, trying to stretch a single into a double, to cut the lead to 4-1 at the end of the third.

The Jackets scored one run in their half of the fourth on a throwing error to first base. West Lincoln trailed 5-1 heading into the bottom of the fourth. Seth Bivens came to the plate for West Lincoln and blasted a two-run homer to cut their deficit to 5-3. The Bears loaded the bases soon after Bivens’ home run, but the Jackets got out of the jam holding on to the 5-3 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Bears tied the game at 5-5. Burris hit a bases-loaded RBI single to bring in a run. The Bears scored again on a pitch that sailed past the catcher, tying the game at 5-5.

Despite both teams threatening on several occasions to score and end the game, the contest remained tied at the end of seven innings. Both teams continued to fight to end the game in extras, but it wasn’t until the 12th inning that Enterprise was able to secure the win.

The Jackets loaded the bases to start the top of the 12th. Jeffrey Daniels hit an RBI bunt single and Butler followed with a RBI sac fly to make it 7-5. The Jackets scored again on a balk call and later scored their final run of the night on a bases-loaded walk to make it 9-5 Enterprise.

With one out, the Bears loaded the bases and Daniel Spears hit an RBI single. Burris was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to make it 9-7, but Enterprise closed the door to give them the hard-fought win.

“It was a great game by both sides. Almost hate that someone had to lose,” Enterprise head coach Cass Brister said. “Proud of the way the kids fought and that we didn’t give up. It was a big win to get us back on track. Now we have to get ready for West Lincoln on Friday.”

“Good game, tough loss,” West Lincoln head coach David Gilbert said. “Have to get ready to play two games on Friday.”

Tanner Waldrop pitched in relief for Enterprise, going 6.1 innings and giving up one earned run (two runs) on five hits, eight walks and striking out 10 batters. Colby Beard, who started for the Jackets, pitched five innings and gave up three earned runs on six hits, four walks and struck out three. Dylan Carter also pitched for the Jackets in relief, giving up one hit and striking out two batters.

Nathanael Addison took the loss pitching in relief for West Lincoln, going three innings and gave up four earned runs on three hits, one walk and struck out three. Bivens started the game for the Bears and pitched nine innings, giving up four earned runs on six hits, two walks and struck out 13.

Butler led the Jackets at the plate going 2-for-4, including two singles and one RBI. Daniels, Cade Cangemi, Austin Fugler, Waldrop and Reese Brocato each had an RBI single in the game.

Spears led the Bears at the plate, going 3-for-5 with three singles and one RBI. Burris went 3-for-6 with two singles, one double and two RBIs. Fielder went 2-7, two singles. Bivens went 1-for-3, including his two-run homer.

West Lincoln and Enterprise will meet again Friday night at Enterprise in a double-header. The first game starts at 5 p.m. and the second game slated for a 7 p.m. start.