Mississippi State commitment Landon Harmon throws perfect game in 14-0 victory over Pisgah
PEARL — The lofty expectations surrounding East Union entering the MHSAA Class 2A championship series continued to build at Trustmark Park on Wednesday. The Urchins — the defending state champions — had everything to lose facing Pisgah in that program's first trip to a state final.
Mississippi State commitment Landon Harmon showed why the Urchins are regarded as the resounding favorites in Class 2A. Harmon had a five-inning perfect game with nine strikeouts in the 14-0 run-rule win against Pisgah.
"I've been preparing all year for this," Harmon said. "We knew we were going to go, but the problem was the pressure of everybody thinking we were going to win. We're not done yet. The game ain't over yet. We're just going to come back Friday and be ready to go.
"It was my first perfect game ever so that's pretty exciting. I was here to win. Whether it was or not."
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The sophomore needed just 63 pitches in the perfect game and is eligible to pitch a potential Game 3 on Saturday. However, the Urchins (30-5) look to close out the series in Game 2 at 1 p.m. on Friday.
Harmon entered the championship series a 0.99 ERA in 15 appearances this season. He allowed nine earned runs with 103 strikeouts in 63⅔ innings. Harmon hasn't allowed a run in four of his last five starts.
"The last two outing he's been very good," East Union coach Chris Basil said. "He works at what he gets. He's got God given ability but he works at it. He's a pitcher. He doesn't just get up there and throw. He's working different pitches."
"You can tell from the first pitch. He lets it go a little bit."
Harmon struck out every batter in the lineup for Pisgah (25-9). It's the most strikeouts he's had in his last four starts after finishing with 10 strikeouts against Tupelo on April 17 and 11 against O'Bannon on April 25.
"The scoreboard helped me a little bit because they knew I could pump (my velocity) up there," Harmon said. "When I didn't pump it up there it seemed like they weren't really ready for it. That's what caused the hits to second base. The slider and fast ball was the most important because the slider is easier to get velocity on."
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Sophomore Drew Hollimon went 2-of-4 with five RBIs. Rett Johnson, Mr. Baseball for Class 2A, went 3-of-4 with three RBIs, including two-RBI single in the fourth to extend the lead to 14.
East Union is one win away from its third state championship after the program secured its first in 2016.
"From day one this is where they wanted to be," Basil said. "They work at it. What I've enjoyed seeing is how they've come together."
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State baseball commitment Landon Harmon throws perfect game in state championship
