March 20, 2025: Mayflower @ Harmony Grove at Cardinals Softball Field in Haskell, Arkansas. ©Justin Manning
Justin Manning
PERRYVILLE — The Harmony Grove Cardinals opened 3-3A Regional action in Perryville on Thursday in historic fashion.
Entering as the top-seeded squad following its District tournament title, Harmony Grove would shine in round one with a near perfect game — settling for a combined no-hitter.
The Cardinals won 4-0 over Bald Knob to punch their ticket to the 3A State Tournament and a trip to the Regional semifinal.
“We have been waiting on this,” said Head Coach Brandon Mynhier. “Our goal was to win District, make Regionals and win. We are trying to play hard. Trying to play clean baseball and so far it has been working out for us.”
Harmony Grove committed zero errors in Thursday’s win.
Senior ace Dax Hammett continued his legendary legacy with 5.1 innings of work where he allowed a lone walk and rang up 13 strikeouts.
Hammett’s first-inning walk was the only blemish for the Cardinals.
“We always have a chance to win with Dax on the mound,” Mynhier said. “He is a bulldog. He gets in there and pounds the zone and makes hitters swing. His stuff is so incredible that you can’t just sit on one pitch. He gives us a chance to win every time he goes out.”
Landon Hughes would close the contest with a perfect showing of his own, striking out three over 1.2 innings work.
“He has thrown well for us this year as a freshman coming in,” Mynhier said. “We knew we could hand him the ball and get Dax out at 60 pitches so we could go back to him Saturday if we needed him. Both guys are playing incredible.”
While the Cardinals defense shined, their offense sputtered at times as Bald Knob held Harmony Grove to six hits.
Harmony Grove would strike first in the bottom of the third with an RBI single from Luke McGough. Brodie Miller would score on the knock for the early lead.
Tucker Blaylock would add to the Cardinals lead in the fourth with an RBI groundout to shortstop, putting Harmony Grove ahead 2-0.
With Bald Knob stymied on offense, Harmony Grove continued to add on, scoring two more in the fifth on an RBI single from Wyatt Borden and an RBI groundout from Easton Phifer.
James Diamond and Miller would score as the Cardinals led 4-0 after five.
“Bald Knob did a great job of keeping us off balance today. Hat’s off to them,” Mynhier said. “We got lucky a few times and were able to manage a few good at-bats and grind some hits. Great job of those guys to not give up and stay locked in and wait until it comes.”
The win moves the Cardinals into today’s semifinal against the winner of No. 2 Rose Bud or No. 3 Dover. First pitch is set for Noon.