IZARD COUNTY -- It took eight innings to decide Monday night's 1A Region 2 title between Armorel and Viola. With the score, 0-0, in the bottom of the eighth, Viola's Korlee Dickens hit a walk-off single to center scoring Tristen Burden to give Viola a 1-0 win over the Lady Tigers.
The extra inning run was the first run of the postseason given up by the Lady Tigers after three straight shutout victories.
Despite the loss, Lady Tiger starting pitcher Brooke Trout threw a strong outing.
Trout allowed just the one run while scattering three hits and striking out 10 over the entire eight innings. The freshman hurler fanned the first eight batters she faced while not giving up a baserunner or a hit until the fifth inning.
Just as dominant was the Viola winning pitcher, Kiersten Moore. Moore allowed just three hits while striking out 11 over eight innings of work.
Picking up hits for the Lady Tigers were Trout, Amanda Skelton and Madison Harris.
The Lady Tigers take the two-seed to the 1A state tournament in Mountain Home.
Their first game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday against Mulberry, out of Region 1.
afitzpatrick@blythevillecourier.com @CN_AaronF