Former Mohawk coach Brock Swann throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Tribe's first round win over Brookland Thursday at Independence Park. The Mohawks are hosting the district tournament for the first time in eight years, and Swann was honored for his past and current work for the team and on the baseball field. Note the new "turface" material on the infield dirt.

The Piggott Mohawks advanced to the second round of the 3A-3 district tournament at Independence Park Thursday evening with a 2-0 win over the scrappy Brookland Bearcats. Meanwhile, the Lady Mohawks put up a gallant effort but came up just short against the Lady Lions of Manila in their first round game at Harrisburg as they were eliminated by a final of 16-17.

With the win the Mohawks advance to this afternoon's 2:30 contest against the Corning Bobcats, while the Lady Mohawks end what has been a bumpy re-building season.

The Tribe's first round contest also included a ceremonial first pitch by former coach Brock Swann, who still takes a very active role in helping maintain the ball field. Swann, along with a group of volunteer groundskeepers have done a yoeman's job of preparing and maintaining the field, and it's something every Piggott fan should be proud to call their own.

Prior to the Piggott game Swann was introduced, and delivered the game ball in fine tradition to Mohawk catcher Tanner Murray. Swann, a PHS grad, served as coach or assistant coach of the Tribe for 18 seasons before moving on into administration. He has long been instrumental in supporting the high school baseball program, and has worked tirelessly in helping improve the ball field into what we have today.

In other first round action yesterday, the Harrisburg Hornets beat the Hoxie Mustangs 16-6 at Independence Park in Piggott.

In the girls district at Harrisburg Brookland shut out Hoxie 11-0, then later downed Tuckerman 12-1. They're scheduled to face Rivercrest this afternoon. After beating the Lady Mohawks, Manila was pounded by Harrisburg 10-0. That earned the Lady Hornets a chance to face Corning in the early game this afternoon on their home field.

Today's schedule for the boy's district at Piggott starts at noon as the Harrisburg Hornets meet the Rivercrest Colts. The Mohawks and Bobcats re-new their longstanding rivalry in the 2:30 game with the winner earning a trip to the semi-finals, and a trip to next week's regional at Tuckerman. Those semi's will include Tuckerman taking on the winner of the Harrisburg-Rivercrest game with a scheduled 5 p.m. first pitch, and at 7:30 p.m. the winner of the Piggott-Corning game will face the Manila Lions.

Weather permitting, the losers of those last two games will face off at 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon to determine third and fourth place seedings. The district championship game is set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday evening at Independence Park.