Bears Fall to Patriots in Class 2A State Finals

Palestine-Wheatley’s Andrew Knowlton and Brody Parker held the Woodlawn Bears to four hits as the Patriots won their first-ever state championship in the finals of the Class 2A State Baseball Tournament Thursday morning at Majestic Park in Hot Springs. The Patriots used a couple of singles and an error to play two runs in the second inning before  adding two more in the top of both the sixth and seventh innings,  Knowlton allowed just three hits and four walks while striking out eight over five-and-two-third innings. He was awarded the Most Valuable Player trophy after the game. Woodlawn starting pitcher Logan Clark took the loss for the Bears after giving up two hits and one walk with four strikeouts over five innings. Hollis Holderfield threw the final two innings. Tyner Burris, playing in his final game for Woodlawn, went 2-for-3 to lead the Bears at the plate. Thursday’s game was the 14th state championship appearance for Woodlawn, having won the state title in nine of those games.