CONWAY, ARKANSAS - In the longest-ever state championship game in the history of Arkansas high school baseball, Harding Academy still remained perfect.
The Wildcats, after breaking a tie twice in extra innings before Brookland extended things on both occasions, finally held off the Bearcats after scoring three runs in the top of the 14th inning and getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom half as Harding Academy survived Brookland, 14-11, Friday night at the University of Central Arkansas.
"To be honest, I'm just glad we got it done," said Wildcat sophomore Rhett Watson, who got the final out with a strikeout as Brookland left the bases loaded. "After 14 innings, I was trying not to lose that ballgame, and a lot of resilience for our team to go out there and play all 14 and keep competing and keep the energy up in the dugout, and go out there and win the ballgame."
It was the eighth state championship in program history for the Wildcats (25-6), who have never lost in the title game. Harding Academy also won it for the fourth time this decade, having won three straight from 2021-23.
Friday's game set a new record for the most innings played in an Arkansas high school state baseball title game. The previous record was 13 innings, set in 1992 when Junction City defeated Clinton.
The new record-setting game between Harding Academy and Brookland lasted five hours and 29 minutes, and there were a total of 512 pitches thrown.
But on the 512th and final pitch, Watson finally ended the marathon. He came to the mound in relief after Brookland loaded the bases with two out.
"I was just trying to come in there, fill it up, let my defense work and just put it in the zone and whatever happens, happens," said Watson, who also went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and four runs scored as he was named the game's MVP, drawing four walks as well.
"(The game-ending strikeout) was probably the most excited I've been in my life. I started screaming, yelling, flexing - I was excited."
Buck Ringgold
Harding Academy scored three in the top of the 10th inning to go up 10-7, but Brookland answered with three runs of its own in the last half of the inning. The same thing happened in the 12th inning, when both teams traded runs.
However, in the top of the 14th, Watson was hit by a pitch with one out and eventually scored on a throwing error. The Wildcats added insurance on a two-run triple from Joe Myles.
It was the only hit for Myles in five at-bats, but he drove in four runs. Nate Corbitt, who was the starting pitcher before being taken out during a seven-run third, also drove in four runs on a pair of hits.
Cam Norris, a freshman, was the winning pitcher for Harding Academy in relief, going 2 2/3 scoreless innings and not allowing a base hit.
Brookland (26-11), which was seeking to win its first-ever state title, got two-hit games from six different players: Cooper Bode, Ripken Tucker, Jake Reece, Eli Foster, Jordan Friend and Ethan Bales, with Reece driving in three runs.
Watson has the chance to win more state titles for the Wildcats his next two seasons. But regardless of how those turn out, it may never top the resilience, not to mention the many wacky twists and turns it took for Harding Academy to go 8-for-8 in state championship games.
"Definitely not, definitely not (going to top Friday)," Watson said. "I'm going to try to be back here next year, though."
Buck Ringgold
UPDATES
Earlier on Friday, Ashdown won its first state baseball title, claiming the Class 3A crown.
Now, Brookland wants to continue that trend, as the Bearcats seek to get their first title in program history. But standing in their way is Harding Academy, which has won seven state championships, including three straight from 2021-23.
The Wildcats (24-6) aim to add another title Friday afternoon as they take on Brookland (26-10) in the Class 4A championship game during the Arkansas Activities Association's "Weekend of Champions" at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.
Follow The Sporting News correspondent Buck Ringgold (@Bucks_Ballpark) for all of the live updates and scoring from Conway.
Scroll down for live score and game updates from first pitch to the postgame. Refresh this page for the latest.
HARDING ACADEMY 14, BROOKLAND 11 FINAL/14
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14TH INNING
- There were a total of 512 pitches thrown in this game.
- HARDING ACADEMY DOES IT. Rhett Watson gets the batter to strike out with the bases loaded, and the Wildcats have outlasted Brookland in 14 innings to win their eighth state title. The time of the game was 5 hours and 29 minutes.
- Rhett Watson comes onto the mound seeking to finish this marathon game in Harding Academy's favor.
- A walk loads the bases. The tying run is at first base and the potential winning run is now at the plate for Brookland with two out. And Harding Academy is making a pitching change. (Harding Academy, 14-11 | B14)
- Hit batter puts two on with two out and the tying run comes up for Brookland. (Harding Academy, 14-11 | B14)
- Brookland is down to its final out. Can the Bearcats conjure up one final miracle?
- Brookland draws a one-out walk.
- One out now.
- Side is retired but Harding Academy is up by three runs going to the last of the 14th.
- RBI HIT HARDING ACADEMY. Joe Myles gives the Wildcats insurance with a two-run double. Lead grows to three runs. (Harding Academy, 14-11 | T14)
- HARDING ACADEMY RUN. Wild throw to get a runner at first allows Rhett Watson to score the go-ahead run, and the Wildcats are back in front. (Harding Academy, 12-11 | T14)
- Harding Academy now has runners on first and second with one out following a walk. (11-11 | T14)
- One out, Rhett Watson gets hit by a pitch.
- Yes, they're playing "More, More, More" by the Andrea True Connection between innings. As requested by the press box. (11-11 | T14)
13TH INNING
- A 4-3 double play ends it in the 13th. We are now headed to the 14th inning, a new state record for most innings in an Arkansas championship game. (11-11 | T14)
- Mound conference going on now. We're about to hit five hours in this game.
- Back-to-back walks now, and the winning run is at second for Brookland.
- Brookland gets a one-out walk. Winning run is at first base.
- Long fly ball to center for the first out.
- Now they're playing a song between innings called "It's Time to Go Home." Think it may be Elmo of Sesame Street singing this.
- STRIKEOUT BROOKLAND. Bearcat P Jake Reece gets the batter to swing and miss on a wicked pitch to end the top of the 13th. Brookland has another chance to walk things off. (11-11 | B13)
- A called strike three on a full count for the second out in the top of the 13th.
- Nash Sanders in to run at first and he steals second, still with one out.
- With one out, Harding Academy's Titus Henley drills a shot down the left field line and it seems to be a double. But Henley pulls up lame trying to go to second, and he finally gets back to first and is held to a long single. (11-11 | T13)
12TH INNING
- And the softball game that started at 7 across campus has just ended. This game is approaching the five-hour mark.
- A dropped pop fly in the outfield allows the tying run to score. Brookland then sent another runner past third, but got tagged out at home plate. Words can't describe this game. It just can't. This is absolutely bonkers. We are going 13 now, tying the state record for the most innings in a title game. (11-11 | T13)
- OH MY GRACIOUS GOODNESS. OH MY GRACIOUS GOODNESS. BROOKLAND HAS TIED THIS GAME ONCE MORE.
- Review is in. The runner is safe at third. But two outs now. What will happen next?
- A fly out to left for the second out. Runner from second breaks for third and he gets in there as the tag is missed. And apparently Harding Academy celebrated prematurely before the umpire called him safe. We are going to another review.
- Full count now on the batter.
- The softball game that started at 7 p.m. tonight is now in the last inning.
- But Harding Academy gets a strikeout for the first out. Runners on first and second still for Brookland.
- Remembering that Cal Ripken Jr., when he played in the minor leagues, was once a part of a game that lasted 33 innings. And Ripken Tucker is batting for Brookland. The more you know.....
- Ripken Tucker, maybe appropriately named, is coming up to bat for Brookland in a key situation.
- Cam Norris, a freshman, is now on to pitch for Harding Academy.
- And Cooper Bode gets hit, putting runners on first and second. Tying run at second now with nobody out. Harding Academy is making a pitching change. (Harding Academy, 11-10 | B12)
- Leadoff walk issued to Ethan Bales on a full count. Brookland has the tying run on base. (Harding Academy, 11-10 | B12)
- Brookland pitchers have issued 14 walks and hit three batters in this game. Also, both teams have combined for more than 400 pitches.
- Between-innings song: "Closing Time" by Semisonic. One-hit wonder from the '90s.
- A strikeout ends the inning. Harding Academy takes a one-run lead entering the bottom of the 12th. (Harding Academy, 11-10 | B12)
- HARDING ACADEMY RUN. Riley Smith takes one for the team by getting hit with the bases loaded, driving in a run. The Wildcats take the lead. (Harding Academy, 11-10 | T12)
- Nate Corbitt draws a walk. Bases loaded now for Harding Academy with two out.
- During the pitching change, the PA system played "Stayin' Alive" from The Bee Gees. More appropriate music.
- Coming in to pitch for Brookland is Jake Reece, moving in from first base. And coming up to bat for Harding Academy is Nate Corbitt, who doubled home two runners and scored on an error his last at-bat, which gave the Wildcats the lead which turned out to be short-lived. (10-10 | T12)
- Now another walk, and Harding Academy has runners at first and second with two out. Brookland is making a pitching change. (10-10 | T12)
- Two-out walk issued to Harding Academy's Brody Myers.
- Two up, two down for Brookland P Elijah Snearly to start the top of the 12th.
- This game is now four hours old.
11TH INNING
- Sky high pop up, and Harding Academy pitcher Bentley Hawks goes ahead and takes it. We are headed to the 12th. (10-10 | T12)
- Fly ball to right for the second out. We are an out away from going to the 12th.
- Fly ball to left for the first out in the bottom of the inning.
- Shout out to the UCA sound system, which is playing Elton John's "I'm Still Standing." Yes we are. Yes we are.
- Three fly ball outs for Brookland pitcher Elijah Snearly. Another walk-off chance awaits the Bearcats. (10-10 | B11)
- For the record, the record for the longest championship game in Arkansas was 13 innings, back in the early 1990s.
- Yes, we are now in the 11th inning. They should make a 30-for-30 on this game and call it "The Game That Would Not End."
10TH INNING
- After review, the runner is out at home plate to end the inning. We are headed to the 11th inning. (10-10 | T11)
- We had a fly ball hit to right for the second out. Harding Academy then threw to second to get the runner going from first, but he gets in. Then the runner from third breaks from home, and a throw gets him out at the plate. We are going to review this play.
- OH MY GRACIOUS. OH MY GRACIOUS, WHAT HAS JUST HAPPENED?
- RBI HIT BROOKLAND. Rogan Tyler delivers with a hit to center, allowing Cooper Bode to score the tying run. Tyler now goes to second on the throw. Harding Academy then issues an intentional walk, putting runners on first and second with one out. (10-10 | B10)
- Fly ball to left for the first out; tying run still at second. (Harding Academy, 10-9 | B10)
- BROOKLAND SCORES. Hard hit to the right side, gets past the first baseman for a base hit, allowing two runners to score. Cooper Bode then slides into second base as the tying run. This game is ABSOLUTELY NUTS. (Harding Academy, 10-9 | B10)
- Top of the order coming back up for Brookland, with Cooper Bode. He gets a huge chance now as a passed ball moves runners to second and third, still nobody out.
- And Ethan Bales gets hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second with nobody out. The tying run comes up to the plate for Brookland, as Harding Academy changes pitchers, now going with Bentley Hawks. (Harding Academy, 10-7 | B10)
- Jordan Friend leads off the bottom of the 10th for Brookland with a base hit to right center. Still life in the Bearcats. (Harding Academy, 10-7 | B10)
- Cam Pryor, who came on in relief in the third inning, comes back out on the mound for Harding Academy, looking to close things out. He has thrown 98 pitches.
- Nate Corbitt is now 2-for-4 with four RBIs for Harding Academy, which now is three outs away from a state title as we go to the bottom of the 10th. (Harding Academy, 10-7 | B10)
- BIG HIT HARDING ACADEMY. Nate Corbitt breaks the deadlock by driving the ball into right center, which was nearly caught, but it goes to the wall, scoring two runners. Corbitt then goes to third on a triple, but an errant throw to get him allows Corbitt to score another run. Wow, what a hit for the Wildcats. (Harding Academy, 10-7 | T10)
- STRIKEOUT BROOKLAND. Elijah Snearly gets the punch-out, and it's now two on with two out for Harding Academy.
- Brodie Jones coming in to run at second for Harding Academy as Rhett Watson strides to the plate. He is 2-for-2 with three walks.
- Now runners at first and second for Harding Academy after Brody Myers gets hit on a full count. (7-7 | T10)
- Bentley Hawks draws a one-out walk for Harding Academy.
- Fly ball for the first out in the top of the 10th. (7-7 | T10)
NINTH INNING
- Fly ball to right and it hangs up for Harding Academy RF Titus Henley to make the catch. We are going to the 10th inning in Conway. (7-7 | T10)
- Wild pitch moves the winning run over to second. We have a full count on the batter.
- With two out, Brookland's Eli Foster lofts a single into left. Reid Murray comes in to run. (7-7 | B9)
- Strikeout for the first out in the bottom of the 9th.
- Harding Academy can't capitalize on the walk, and Brookland has yet another opportunity to walk things off. (7-7 | B9)
- Joe Myles works a one-out walk and Harding Academy has something going.
- A strikeout for Brookland P Elijah Snearly to start the top of the ninth. (7-7 | T9)
EIGHTH INNING
- STRIKEOUT HARDING ACADEMY. Called third strike to end the inning, and once again Wildcat P Cam Pryor gets out of danger, as Brookland strands runners on second and third. We are playing nine. (7-7 | T9)
- Now a base hit for Ripken Tucker, and Cooper Bode goes to third with Tucker taking second on the throw. Big drama, big tension now. Two outs still. (7-7 | B8)
- Base hit for Cooper Bode, but the ball hits the runner going toward second and he's ruled out. We're going to review this again, but the play stands as runner interference. Two outs now with a new runner on first for Brookland. (7-7 | B8)
- Replays show Ethan Bales beat the throw to first. After the review, he is ruled safe on an infield single. Bales is the winning run at first now for Brookland with one out. (7-7 | B8)
- Brookland's Ethan Bales is called out by a hair after hitting a ground ball. They are going to review the play now.
- Grounder to second for the first out in the last of the eighth.
- And Elijah Snearly gets out of the jam with a fly ball hit to right fielder Eli Foster. Harding Academy leaves the bases loaded, Brookland with another chance to walk things off. (7-7 | B8)
- Rhett Watson draws a walk. Bases loaded with two outs for Harding Academy, and Brookland is now having a meeting on the mound. (7-7 | T8)
- Rhett Watson now up for Harding Academy. Watson is already 2-for-2 with two RBIs and three runs scored.
- Hit batter puts runners at first and second for Harding Academy with two out. (7-7 | T8)
- Force play for the second out.
- With one out, Harding Academy gets a runner on first via a walk.
- New pitcher coming in for Brookland, Elijah Snearly.
SEVENTH INNING
- STRIKEOUT HARDING ACADEMY. Wildcat P Cam Pryor, on his 70th pitch in relief, gets a strikeout as Brookland strands the winning run at third. We are headed to extra innings. (7-7 | T8)
- Groundball to second moves Jake Reece to third with two out now. Can Brookland bring him home and win its first title? (7-7 | B7)
- Harding Academy P Cam Pryor induces a foul pop to first. One out, still a man on second for Brookland. (7-7 | B7)
- Leadoff double down the left-field line by Brookland's Jake Reece, who slides into second just ahead of the throw. He is now the winning run on base. (7-7 | B7)
- A smash toward the left side, but speared by Brookland 3B Jordan Friend, who fires to first to retire the side as Harding Academy leaves two on. Bearcats need just one run to win it in the bottom of the inning. (7-7 | B7)
- Comebacker hit right to pitcher Cooper Stallings, who looks the runner back to third before throwing to first for the second out. Still second and third with two out for Harding Academy. (7-7 | T7)
- A wild pitch now puts runners on second and third, still one out. Harding Academy seeking to break the deadlock.
- A walk puts runners at first and second with one out for Harding Academy. (7-7 | T7)
- Rhett Watson leads off the top of the seventh for Harding Academy with a ball that is placed down the left-field line and goes over the fence for a ground-rule double. But the next batter pops out on a bunt attempt. (7-7 | T7)
SIXTH INNING
- Fielder's choice ends the sixth. We are at all sevens, a 7-7 game now entering the seventh inning. (7-7 | T7)
- Strikeout for the second out. Two out and two on in the bottom of the inning for Brookland. (7-7 | B6)
- Huge break for Harding Academy, as a bunt is popped right up into foul territory and caught. One out, two still on. (7-7 | B6)
- Base hit up the middle from Jordan Friend leading off the Brookland half of the sixth. Then Ethan Bales gets hit with a pitch. Runners on first and second for the Bearcats, with nobody out. (7-7 | B6)
- Brookland's Cooper Stallings has now thrown 71 pitches in relief, and retired the side in order in the top of the sixth. Bearcats coming to bat in the bottom half. (7-7 | B6)
FIFTH INNING
- A clean bottom of the fifth for Harding Academy P Cam Pryor, who retires all three batters on three groundouts. To the sixth we go, still deadlocked. (7-7 | T6)
- A 1-2-3 top of the fifth for Brookland relief pitcher Cooper Stallings, who came into the game in the first and has pitched from there, helping keep the Bearcats afloat. Bearcats turn to bat now. (7-7 | B5)
FOURTH INNING
- One-out walk from Brookland in the bottom of the fourth, but nothing else. Harding Academy P Cam Pryor got two strikeouts that inning. We remain tied going into the fifth. (7-7 | T5)
- The run scored by Harding Academy to tie the score is now unearned, as Brookland gets out of the inning. Tied midway through the game. (7-7 | B4)
- RBI HIT HARDING ACADEMY. And one batter later, Nate Corbitt singles into right field to score Rhett Watson to tie it up. At the moment, Watson's run is unearned due to the outfield error. (7-7 | T4)
- RBI HIT HARDING ACADEMY. The Wildcats quickly respond on a two-out RBI single from Rhett Watson, who then goes to third after a misplay in the outfield. (Brookland, 7-6 | T4)
THIRD INNING
- The third inning finally comes to an end, but not before Brookland scored seven runs on four hits. (Brookland, 7-5 | T4)
- RBI HIT BROOKLAND. And now the Bearcats have taken the lead on a two-run single to left from Grif Silverthorn. A seven-run inning for the Bearcats. (Brookland, 7-5 | B3)
- Brand new ballgame. Brookland ties things up on a successful squeeze bunt from Eli Foster, who still reaches base on a fielding error. A five-run inning for the Bearcats so far and there's still just one out. (5-5 | B3)
- RBI HIT BROOKLAND. Now, we have a very interesting ballgame. Jake Reece singles home two more runs, and all of a sudden, it's a one-run ballgame. (Harding Academy, 5-4 | B3)
- RBI HIT BROOKLAND. And another base-knock for the Bearcats, as Ripken Tucker singles to bring home Ethan Bales. Brookland now down three, and Harding Academy is changing pitchers. (Harding Academy, 5-2 | B3)
- RBI HIT BROOKLAND. Bearcats break through in the bottom of the third. Jordan Friend reaches on a leadoff walk and then scores on a double to deep left off the bat of Ethan Bales. (Harding Academy, 5-1 | B3)
- Harding Academy extends its lead, all of this still without an RBI hit. The latest run came on a sacrifice fly from Joe Myles. (Harding Academy, 5-0 | T3)
SECOND INNING
- Nate Corbitt with another shutout inning for Harding Academy, working around a two-out single, and we go to the third. (Harding Academy, 4-0 | T3)
FIRST INNING
- Harding Academy pitcher Nate Corbitt retires the side 1-2-3 in the bottom of the first. Wildcats up by four entering the second. (Harding Academy, 4-0 | T2)
- Harding Academy jumps out to a four-run lead in the top of the first. Rhett Watson drove in the first run by drawing a bases-loaded walk; then Nate Corbitt and Joe Myles each got hit with the bases loaded, while Brody Myers scored on an error. No RBI hits that inning. (Harding Academy, 4-0 | B1)
PREGAME
- Brookland is the home team. Here is the Bearcat lineup: Cooper Bode (CF); Ripken Tucker (2B); Rogan Tyler (C); Jake Reece (1B); Gabe Carter (LF); Eli Foster (RF); Grif Silverthorn (DH); Jordan Friend (3B); Ethan Bales (SS); and Asher Griffin is the starting pitcher.
- Harding Academy will be the visiting team. Here's the Wildcats' lineup: Cam Pryor (CF); Titus Henley (RF); Kam Hoover (SS); Bentley Hawks (1B); Brody Myers (C); Rhett Watson (2B); Nate Corbitt (P/DH); Riley Smith (3B); Joe Myles (LF).
- Live from Conway, Harding Academy goes for its fourth state baseball title this decade as the Wildcats take on Brookland, which is seeking its first-ever championship.