After Zach “Panda” Jackson pitched a three-hit shutout in the second round of the 7A State Tournament, Bryant senior left-hander Evan Lee matched his teammate with his own three-hit shutout. On Saturday, the Hornets took down the Har-Ber Wildcats 10-0 in five innings at Vince DeSalvo Stadium in North Little Rock for a trip to the 7A State Championship game at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville. Bryant will play Conway/Catholic for the title Friday at 5:30 p.m.
The Hornets (30-2) scratched a run across in the bottom of the first inning when Logan Allen was hit by a pitch and went to second on Dylan Hurt’s fielder’s choice. Garrett Misenheimer knocked in Allen with a single to right field for the 1-0 lead after one.
Lee allowed the Wildcats to reach third base in the first and second innings, but after giving up a leadoff single to Tyler Blackston in the top of the third, the lefty shut down Har-Ber the rest of the way. Lee retired the final eight batters he faced, striking out six of those, and finished the win with eight strikeouts.