By ISAAC BOURNE | The Arkadelphian

The Arkadephia Badgers look very promising headed into playoff season.

Just 1.5 games back from first in the 4A-7 conference, the three-seeded Badgers (Nashville is first and Ashdown is second) travel to De Queen on Friday for the regional tourney as they look to make it to the state tournament in back-to-back years.

Monday, the Hope Bobcats came to town and almost came out with a crippling upset. At one point holding a 6-1 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth inning, the Bobcats gave up a single run in that frame before the Badgers exploded for six runs in the bottom of the fifth behind a three-run homer from senior Donovan Whitten. Arkadelphia escaped with an 11-8 win.

After dropping a non-conference game in Pearcy in a 11-1 loss to Lake Hamilton on Thursday, the Badgers brought all of their might in a 7-0 route of conference opponent Camden-Fairview in another dominating pitching performance by Tripp Campbell. He allowed one hit the entire game before senior Carter Babb followed up his three hits and two RBIs with a strikeout on the final at-bat of his regular season high school career.

The Badgers will face the Star City Bulldogs on Friday this week for a spot in the state tournament next week. A win in that game guarantees them a spot in Lonoke, plus will keep them dancing on their way to a region title.