Staff writer
The Marion High School softball team lost both games to Sedgwick on Thursday at home.
The Warriors tied the first game at one when Sarah Guetersloh singled home Annie Whitaker.
Although a Cardinal runner reached third base, pitcher Megan Richmond forced a pop fly to Shelby Percell at third and a fly ball she took care of herself to get out of the fifth inning.
Richmond recorded four strikeouts in the game.
After two Marion groundouts, JayDee Schafers reached on a single, Richmond got on base after an error, and Raelene Allen reached on a walk to load the bases. The Warriors were not able to take advantage when Whitaker struck out.
Sedgwick took advantage of Marion misfortune by scoring five runs in the top of the sixth on three walks and three errors.
Chelsea Voth drove in Guetersloh on a double to decrease the lead to 6-2, but Sedgwick answered with five more runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 11-2 lead.
The Warriors came back with four runs in the bottom of the seventh. Schafers recorded an RBI as a part of her 2-for-4 effort. Guetersloh had three RBIs in the inning.
“I can’t be disappointed with that,” coach Jill Hudson said of the comeback in the seventh. “That’s all I ask is that they give 100 percent.”
Marion lost the second game, 14-3.
The Warriors took an early lead, 2-1, after the first inning. Schafers and Richmond both scored.
However, the Cardinals responded with three runs in the second inning and five runs in the third inning to take a 9-2 lead.
After the Warriors went down in order in the bottom of the third inning, the game snowballed away from Marion.
Richmond started for the Warriors in the second game, the first time the freshman pitcher had started back-to-back games. Hudson said Sedgwick hitters timed Richmond to explode offensively in the second game.
Balee Shiplet was a bright spot for the Warriors on defense in the second game, playing solidly at shortstop. Hudson said the sophomore had not played much at short before Thursday but said she earned more opportunities at the position in the future.
Schafers and Shelby Percell each had a hit and a run in the second game. Richmond went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI.
The team travels to Ell-Saline Friday for games starting at 4 p.m.