Elkin won a squeaker. East Wilkes nearly pulled off the biggest upset of the Northwest 1A season. Surry Central's normally potent bats went cold, while Starmount's sticks stayed hot.

Just another wild, entertaining night on area baseball diamonds.

When all was said and done, the Northwest 1A Conference standings began taking clearer shape, while the Mountain Valley 2A remained muddy in several positions.

Here's a recap:

ELKIN 4, MOUNT AIRY 3: Brian Carter pitched seven complete innings for the Elks, holding on despite tiring in the final frame.

His mound work was big, lifting Elkin to 6-8 in the Northwest 1A -- in sole possession of fourth place heading into the final two contests. If the Elks can hold on, they'll host a first-round conference tournament opener next week.

Carter and Justin Singh each had one hit and one RBI for Elkin.

"It was a big win -- we had to have it," said Elks coach Steve Martin, whose team is now 7-10 overall. "We are taking it one game at a time. Brian threw a heck of a ball game."

Elkin visits Bishop McGuinness on Thursday and then will host North Stokes in its finale Friday.

WEST WILKES 9, EAST WILKES 8: The Cardinals had a chance to make a real mess at the top of the Northwest 1A standings. But Taylor Brooks hit a walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the seventh to help the Blackhawks (18-4 overall, 15-0 conference) avoid the upset.

East Wikes had just scored four runs in the top of the seventh to forge an 8-8 tie. Derek Brown had a homer for the Cardinals, finishing 2-for-3. Dillon Shoupe had three hits. John Holbrook doubled for the Cards. West's Brooks finished the night with five RBIs.

Steven Gregory suffered the pitching loss for East Wilkes. Josh Zumbrook won it for West, coming on in relief in the seventh.

West, which clinched at least a share of the Northwest 1A title, can close out an undefeated conference season Thursday night at South Stokes (15-4, 4-1).

STARMOUNT 8, NORTH SURRY 6: The Rams got off to a hot start, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning, and then held on down the stretch to improve to 7-3 in the Mountain Valley 2A.

Tyler Howard hit a home run for Starmount. He had four RBIs on the night. Justin Snow was 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Caleb Pardue scored twice and had two hits. Chris Cowles was 2-for-3 with a run. Scott Milholland had a double. The Rams outhit the Hounds 12-8.

Starter Ben Shore got the win.

FORBUSH 3, SURRY CENTRAL 0: Forbush pitcher Adam Saunders held the Golden Eagles to just two hits, striking out 10, in Tuesday's MVAC victory.

Surry Central (7-4 MVAC) drops a half-game behind Starmount for second place in the conference, while Forbush (6-4) completed a season sweep of the Dobson team and moves up.

Cole Hensley hit a solo home run to lead off the sixth inning. The Falcons' first two runs, both unearned, came in the second inning. Adam Stanley and Austin McLamb (the losing pitcher) had Central's only two hits.

Ty Woodring walked to start the bottom of the seventh, but Saunders got the next two batters -- No. 1 and 2 hitters, Brett Boyles and Stanley -- to look at the third strike. Eric High flied out to center to end the game.

ASHE COUNTY 12, NORTH WILKES 1: An eight-run sixth inning brought this game to a close, via the mercy rule. Justin Vogel took the loss for North Wilkes. He finished with two hits at the plate.