GOBLINS FACE GCT IN STATE OPENER

JACKSONVILLE — A whole new season starts today for the Harrison Goblins. With the regular season in the rearview, Harrison opens the Class 5A State Baseball Tournament this morning at 10 a.m. against No. 1 seeded Greene County Tech. Greene County Tech earned the top seed out of the 5A-East with little trouble. During the district tournament, the Golden Eagles shutout Blytheville, 10-0, in the opening round before dismissing Nettleton, 8-3. The Golden Eagles threw another shutout in the championship game with a 7-0 victory over Batesville. Greene County Tech holds a 14-9 overall record on the season with a 9-4 mark in conference play. The Golden Eagles have averaged just over 7 runs per game over the course of the season while the Goblins are scoring 4.5 runs per game. Greene County Tech’s three top pitchers have all signed to play college ball at Williams Baptist College next season. Caiden McFadden, Chase Hutson and Drew Mullins have all signed to pitch in college next season. The Golden Eagles have 10 seniors on their roster. The two teams have not faced any common opponents this season. Greene County Tech is currently riding a five-game winning streak. Meanwhile, the Goblins have dropped their last three ballgames. After defeating Morrilton in the opening round of the 5A-West District Tournament, Harrison fell to Vilonia, 16-3, and then Farmington, 15-3. On Monday, the Goblins took on out-of-state opponent Willard, Mo. and came up short, 15-8. Harrison boasts just a pair of seniors on a young roster. Quinn Cherry and Laine Hilliard are the lone seniors for the Goblins who have just one junior, five sophomores and nine freshman filling out the roster. The winner of today’s matchup will advance to the quarterfinal round on Friday against the winner of No. 2 Watson Chapel and No. 3 Little Rock Christian. That quarterfinal game will be played at 3 p.m. at Sylvan Hills High School.

GOBLINS FACE GCT IN STATE OPENER

STAFF

Harrison Daily | 5/11/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Harrison Athletics