Harmony Grove vs. Ashdown (3A State Final) at Majestic Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas on May 21, 2026. Justin Manning
Justin Manning
Play the last game of the season.
That is the goal for many teams entering a new year of baseball.
For Harmony Grove, that goal became reality with a push for the ages to end its 2026 campaign.
After torching conference opponents all season and winning the 5-3A District Tournament, the Cardinals would roll through regional with another title — and two no-hitters — before entering the state tournament.
Needing to stay hot in win-or-go-home matches, the Cardinals continued to dominate as their magical run ended with a 1-0 win over Ashdown on Thursday in Hot Springs to capture the second title in school history (2019).
“It was an amazing game,” said Head Coach Brandon Mynhier said. “Dax (Hammett) does what he does. He gives us a chance to win every time he takes the mound.”
Hammett, who recently signed with Texas Tech to pitch, ended his senior season with one of the best games ever.
The senior would take down Ashdown almost single-handedly, striking out 13 hitters in his complete-game performance.
“He had 13 Ks, then catches two pop-ups on his own and fielded a bunt for the out at first,” Mynhier said. “That left five outs for our defense to make on the night. Almost a one-man show. Great job of wanting the ball with the season on the line.”
The Cardinals outhit Ashdown 8-2 on the night, but could only push across one run late.
Scoreless through five and a half innings, the Cardinals broke the silence in the bottom of the sixth with a two-out single from Cash Potter to score Luke McGough for the eventual game-winner.
“Offense struggled a little bit,” Mynhier said. “We just couldn’t get that hit we needed to score until about the sixth inning when Cash Potter got the single we needed. It was a magical game.”
Hammett slammed the door in the seventh with two more strikeouts and a groundout to third.
McGough led the Cardinals with two hits and a run scored in the win. Maddux Fitts provided two more knocks for Harmony Grove as well.
Compared to the 2019 season, Mynhier said “the only difference in the two titles was this year they won conference, district and regionals and then went out and won state. Stacked together it is almost unheard of.
“In 2019 we faced off with a good CAC team and it seemed like they always got us. But both of these championship teams had the no-quit mentality and got it done.”
Harmony Grove ends its season with 24 wins,