Staff writer
The Marion High School baseball Warriors scored 10 runs in their doubleheader Friday at Nickerson, but it wasn’t enough as the Panthers won 13-6 and 13-4.
The Warriors generated some highlights along the way. In the fourth inning of game one, Wil Case hit a hard line drive to left field that went over the fielder’s head, driving in two runs to make the score 11-6.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, MHS shortstop Corey Seacat made a difficult stop on a ground ball, but his throw to first base was wide. First baseman Brian Fruechting stepped off the base, caught the ball, and tagged the Nickerson runner for the out.
Game two
Nickerson scored in the first inning, but MHS responded in the second inning. Colton Olsen was safe on an infield single and proceeded to steal second and third bases, giving him a chance to score when Austin Pederson grounded into a fielder’s choice.
Nickerson again took a one-run lead in the second inning, but the Warriors took the lead in the third inning. Fruechting hit an RBI double off the center field fence, and Case drove him home in with a double of his own. Matt Sprowls recorded a sacrifice as Case scored a run to give the Warriors a 4-2 advantage.
NHS took the lead for a third time in the bottom of the inning, 5-4, and the Warriors didn’t lead again. The Panthers scored two in the fourth inning, two in the fifth, and four in the sixth.
The Warriors used four pitchers in game two. Marshall Ragland started the game, and Ethan Hett, Isaac Hett, and Case pitched innings in relief.
“We just didn’t have the momentum we needed,” coach Tyler Mermis said. “Our pitchers are going to have their on days and their off days.”