When first-year head coach Shawn Hearn took over the reins of the Piggott Mohawk baseball team this spring he had great expectations, and a bunch of talented kids anxious to play ball. But the on-again-off-again season that just ended was not what any of them had in mind.

Last week the Tribe, which was just getting to the point of showing their mid-season form, beat the Brookland Bearcats 6-4 in the first round of the district tournament at Brookland. Monday afternoon they fell to the second-seeded Manila Lions by a final of 5-3.

Last week's contest against the Bearcats was played under threatening skies, and started about an hour and fifteen minutes late due to lightning in the area. The two teams swapped runs in the first inning, but by the fifth inning Brookland had taken a 4-2 lead. The Tribe cut into the lead and by the seventh inning had tied the score at 4-4 on a Colby Lovelace RBI hit.

The Mohawks came out and put up two runs in the top of the tenth inning, and Lovelace pitched out of a jam in the home half of the frame to preserve the win by a final of 6-4.

On the game for the Mohawks Brice Swann went 2 for 4, Tanner Murray and Sam Yates were 3 for 5 and Brandon Burdin was 2 for 5. Hearn also had high praise for right-handed pitcher Tyler Grubb, who pitched an outstanding game but didn't figure in the decision. "Tyler pitched just great," Hearn noted, " he worked eight innings and 37 batters..struck out seven and walked four while giving up six hits..it was just a great performance and I was so proud of his effort." The coach also noted that the good sportsmanship and attitude of the Brookland team was great, especially considering the game started at 5:30 and ran until 8:45 p.m.

With the victory over the host team the Mohawks advanced to take on the Manila Lions Monday afternoon in round two, and dropped a 5-3 decision. "We forced them to pitch their all-state guy, Nunnally the full seven innings, we gave them a run for their money," Hearn noted later.

Hayden McMillon was 2 for 4 on the game, while Swann, Alek Samples, Lovelace and Tanner Murray each got a hit. Lovelace picked up two of the Mohawk's RBI while senior Brice Swann drove in the other run in his final game for the Tribe. "I have been so proud of my seniors, Brice Swann and Brandon Burdin this year," Coach Hearn observed, " they've given us great senior leadership and I will sure miss them, in fact I'll just miss being around Brice and Brandon."

With the loss the Mohawks end the season at 5-12 overall and lose two quality players to graduation in Swann and Burdin. But on the bright side Hearn will return the majority of his starters, and will pick-up a couple of quality freshmen for next season. "Overall this has been a unique season due to the weather," Hearn noted, "I want to compliment these guys on their behavior on and off the field, and their attitude..they showed up at 6:30 every morning and worked hard all season. I also want to thank the parents, fans and administrators for their support this season." Hearn also added a special thanks to his volunteer coaches, Kevin Murray and Billy Joe Seal, for their help with the team this year.