VIOLA--The Armorel Tigers will head into the 1A state tournament with a No. 1 seed after a 6-0 win over host Viola in the regional championship game, Tuesday night.
Once again, Armorel's starting pitching proved to be nearly unhittable over the three-game tournament. Tiger pitching allowed just one earned run on six hits while striking out 21 over 17 innings of play in the regional tournament.
"It's a thrill to be going back to the state tournament," said Tiger head coach Charlie Brown. "It's always an honor to represent your conference and your region."
"Our pitching has really been our strength this year. As long as we can still have strong pitching, defense and find some timely hitting, we'll be alright in the state tournament."
The Tigers got to the championship game thanks to a 7-0 win over Norfork in the the semifinals.
Taylor Hopper tossed a one-hitter in the semifinal game as the Tigers continue to get strong performances from their starting pitching.
Hopper allowed just one hit and walked only two over seven complete innings to pick up the shutout victory.
"Taylor (Hopper) pitched a heck of game. It was one of our best all around games of the year," Brown said.
Payton Lannon picked up three of the Tigers' six hits with an RBI. Jonathan Porter, Hopper and Dallas Nicholson each had a hit as well for Armorel.
In the championship game, Tiger hurler Ty Wagganer pitched a two-hit shutout over the host, Viola Cougars, in a 6-0 win.
Wagganer struck out 12 over seven innings to put the Tigers into the state tournament with a top seed.
Wagganer also helped his cause with two hits and an RBI at the plate.
Taylor Hopper, Dallas Nicholson, Seth Eatmon and Payton Brown each had a hit a piece for the Tigers in the win.
"We weren't as sharp in the second game but we found a way to grind it out again.," Brown said. "Once Ty (Wagganer) settled down, he really pitched well. He found himself in the middle of the game and looked strong."
Armorel heads to White Hall Thursday afternoon to take on Kirby in the first round of the 1A state tournament at 5 p.m. at White Hall High School.
afitzpatrick@blythevillecourier.com