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Seniors Jackson, Lee carry Bryant by Conway

Bryant left fielder Evan Lee connects for a two-run home run against Conway Friday, May 20, 2016, during the Class 7A state championship game at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville.
Bryant left fielder Evan Lee connects for a two-run home run against Conway Friday, May 20, 2016, during the Class 7A state championship game at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Zach Jackson and Evan Lee are going to feel right at home at Baum Stadium.

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Bryant starter Zach Jackson delivers a pitch against Conway Friday, May 20, 2016, during the Class 7A state championship game at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville.

Both of the Bryant seniors have signed with the University of Arkansas and both played huge roles in Friday's 5-0 victory over Conway in the Class 7A state baseball championship game.

Jackson tossed a six-hit shutout and Lee hit a towering home run as Bryant won its fourth state title in the last seven years.

"I wasn't thinking about next year," said Lee, who went 3 for 3 and drove in 3 runs. "I was just so focused on winning this state championship. Now that this is over, I'll focus on this as my new home. To go out with the 7A state championship is just unbelievable."

Bryant (31-2) got off to a shaky start when Jackson gave up back-to-back singles to Conway's first two batters, but once the Hornets' pitcher escaped the jam, he settled in the remainder of the way.

"Zach's the guy," Bryant Coach Kirk Bock said. "Zach's got that killer mentality and when you're sitting on that last game of the year, that's what you want."

Junior McCall Dail, who had two of Conway's six hits, lined the third pitch of the game for a single. Jack Stroth followed by stroking a 1-2 pitch to right field. But a high chopper back to Jackson, a strikeout and a bases-loaded ground out ended the Wampus Cats' biggest threat.

"After he got out of the first inning, I was not concerned," Bock said. "During the first inning, I was concerned. [Conway was] laying off breaking balls and hitting fastballs. They were doing a great job. After Zach started throwing some breaking balls for strikes, he was OK."

"That hurt," Conway Coach Noel Boucher said of Conway's failure to push across a run in the first inning. "If we get a run or two right there, maybe it changes the complexion of the game. But Bryant played great. [Jackson] pitched well."

Conway (23-8) was not as fortunate with its first inning.

Starting pitcher Matt Strickland hit Bryant's Logan Allen with his first pitch. After a stolen base and a sacrifice bunt, Lee drove a single to left for the first of his three RBI.

"We knew it was going to be huge to go out and get that first run," Lee said. "By doing that, it took the monkey off our back."

Bryant's defense was not bad either. After Bryant increased its lead to 2-0 on Joey Cates' RBI single in the third, Conway's Matt Loyd doubled with one out in the fourth. Kolby Reck followed with a line drive to deep center field that Allen chased down for the second out.

"If they would have gotten that run in, it would have been a game-changer," Jackson said. "I was thinking, 'God, I shouldn't have left that pitch up like that.' But I looked up and L.A. catches it. I was like, 'no way.' That got me excited."

The next batter, Parker Gavazzi, hit a single to shortstop Jake East, who faked a throw to first and then threw to third baseman Garrett Misenhimer to catch Loyd leaning too far toward home.

"My defense had my back today," Jackson said.

As did Lee, whose 385-foot blast over the right-field wall capped a three-run fifth.

"It felt wonderful," Lee said of his fourth home run of the season. "On this stage right here, to do it for my team, it was the greatest dream."

"When Lee came up to hit that jack, all was good," Bock said.

Jackson finished with three strikeouts and one walk.

Strickland went 3 innings, walked 1, struck out 1 and hit 2 batters, both of which scored. Colin Cahill pitched the final 3 innings for the Cats, striking out 5, but allowed Bryant's final 3 runs.

Conway finished with three doubles but only two runners reached third base.

"They got the timely hits and we didn't," Boucher said. "That's the way it goes."

Sports on 05/21/2016

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