FAYETTEVILLE — On the same day as Arkansas rallied from a 6-0 deficit to defeat Ole Miss 8-7 in the SEC Tournament, Arkansas commit Blaine Knight out-dueled Ole Miss commit Andy Pagnozzi in the Class 7A state championship game at Baum Stadium.
Knight, a junior at Bryant High School, was named MVP after allowing no runs on only four hits in his six-inning complete game victory over Fayetteville.
He struck out five batters and walked four while dropping his season ERA to 0.43 and improved his season record to 11-0. The right-hander was even better in the postseason, giving up no runs on eight hits in 13 innings of work.
Knight’s performance came against one of the state’s best offenses, which came into the game with a team batting average of .325.
Fayetteville’s Pagnozzi, also a junior, did not have as good of a day.
He took the loss and lasted only 2 1/3 innings before being pulled from the game. The Ole Miss commit gave up five runs, only two of which were earned, on five hits.
His command was not sharp either, as he hit a batter with a pitch, walked three and had a wild pitch while striking out only two batters. Pagnozzi is the son of Tom Pagnozzi, a former Arkansas player and MLB all-star.
Bryant won the game 10-0 in six innings. Other Arkansas commits in the game included pitcher/outfielder Kyle Pate, shortstop Drew Tyler and catcher Grant Koch - all of Fayetteville.
Pulaski Academy shortstop Blake Wiggins, an Arkansas signee, will play in the 5A title game today at Baum Stadium.