The Arkansas Activities Association’s final state champions of the school year will be crowned on Saturday, and two local schools will square off in the final baseball game of the weekend. Viola and Izard County will be in Benton as both teams look to come home with the Class 1A state title.
The Longhorns are looking to defend the most recent state championship when they defeated Taylor in 2019. Viola head coach Clayton Gardner says he has a group of players who really enjoy the game and competing on a high level every year.
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For Izard County, this will be their first time competing for a state championship for baseball. The Cougars, traditionally known for having one of the top basketball programs in Class 1A, faced some of the best competition in their conference this year, including Viola. Izard County head coach Billy McBride says the teams they have played have helped them get to the position to compete for the state’s highest prize.
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Viola brings a 25-1 record into the game with their only loss coming early in the season to Piggott. While the Longhorns have not lost to Izard County this year, they are not taking the Cougars lightly. Gardner says Izard County is a team that knows how to compete, and they’re well coached.
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The Cougars currently have a mark of 19-5. McBride says if there’s one thing that helps them with this matchup, it is the familiarity they have with Viola.
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The first pitch at the Benton Athletic Complex is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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