Staff writer
The Marion High School softball team won both games Tuesday at home against Inman.
The Warriors scored 5 runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to erase a 12-7 deficit and tied the game.
The heart of the Marion lineup walked to the plate. Annie Whitaker walked. Sarah Guetersloh reached base on an error and Whitaker scored. Shelby Percell reached on an Inman error and Guetersloh scored.
“They made more errors than us,” coach Jill Hudson said of Inman’s defensive play from both games. “We’ll take that.”
Chelsea Voth actually had the Warriors only hit in the inning, scoring Percell with a single.
“She hadn’t been hitting it out of the infield,” Hudson said.
Voth later scored. The umpires for the game actually reversed a previous call that Voth was tagged out sliding into third and ruled that she was safe. Balee Shiplet drove in Voth with a ground-out.
The seventh inning ended when the Teuton center fielder made a full out, diving catch on a looping line drive by Jordan Harper that was sailing into right field.
Megan Richmond held Inman in the top of eighth inning scoreless. In the bottom of the second extra frame, Whitaker and Guetersloh were both hit by Teuton pitches. Percell took advantage of the runner in scoring position and hit a walk-off triple to score Whitaker.
“They’re capable of that,” Hudson said of the come-from-behind victory, “when they believe they can do it.”
The Warriors won the second game, 15-12.
Although Inman was up 5-0 after the top of the second inning, Marion responded in the bottom of the inning with 8 runs. Raelene Allen led the Warrior charge, scoring Shiplet, JayDee Schafers, and Richmond with a triple. Gutersloh led off the inning and scored twice for the Warriors.
The score remained at 8-5 behind steady pitching of Richmond, who threw six innings of six-strikeout ball.
The Warriors scored 5 more runs in the fifth inning and added two more in the sixth. Inman attempted a comeback, but fell 3 runs short in seven innings.
Even though she was pleased with the resiliency the team showed on offense, Hudson was more impressed with the Warriors defense. She particularly praised Schafers behind the plate, who allowed fewer passed balls against Inman than in games against Sedgwick and Bennington.
Other defensive plays of note include Harper throwing out an Inman runner from center field early in the first game and second baseman Allen who made a catch while running in foul territory along the first base line.
“The defense has to make these plays,” Hudson said. “They stayed focused mainly. They wanted the ball.”
Baseball
The Marion High School baseball split its two games with the Teutons.
Center fielder Austin Pedersen hit a walk-off double to score Cole Lewman who led off the inning with a walk to win the second game, 5-4.
Pedersen hit a line drive on the first pitch he saw in his at bat. Even though the at bat ended quickly, thoughts raced through his head before dug his cleats into the batter’s box.
“I came up to bat and I was really nervous,” Pedersen said. “Their coach moved their outfielders in; I thought I could hit it over their heads.”
The hit was especially sweet for Pedersen because it was retribution for an error in the first game. In the seventh inning, he charged on a hit that floated into center field and landed behind him.
“I had to bounce back from that,” Pedersen said.
Pedersen’s game-winning hit gave a deserved win to pitcher Grif Case. Case pitched a complete game with seven strikeouts. He allowed four runs and two walks.
Three of Case’s earned runs came on a 3-run homerun in the top of the second inning. One of Case’s walks was moved to third after a bunt, he was running on the play and used the momentum to grab the extra base a groundout to shortstop Jacob Harper scored the run without a hit.
“He made one bad pitch,” coach Roger Schroeder said.
The Warriors scored four of their runs in the bottom of the third inning. Taylor Heidebrecht led off the inning with a solo home run he pulled over the left field fence. Catcher Caleb Williams then drove in Zach Robson and Lewman on a double before scoring himself on a ground-out.
Marion lost the first game, 4-3. The Warriors were up 3-0 before Ethan Hett gave up a 2-run home run in the fifth inning. Inman tacked on 2 more runs aided by two Warrior errors in the fifth inning to take a 4-3 lead. Hett pitched five innings with six strikeouts. He surrendered 4 runs on six hits.
Although the Warriors compiled 4 runs, they only had four hits in the first game. Pedersen had two singles and an RBI. Matt Sprowls and Luke Steele each had one single.
“Even with the win, I’m disappointed with the day,” Schroeder said. “We failed to make adjustments. All game I was telling them stay back and react; most of the guys have quick hands. They were chasing pitches, reaching out trying to hit balls off their front foot.”
The Warriors have six games remaining. The final stretch should prove to be their toughest competition. The Warriors play at Ell-Saline Friday, at Hillsboro May 6, and against Hoisington May 10 at home.
“We had a chance to win two today,” Schroeder said. “I expect more from them and I feel they should, too. They work hard during the week and they deserve to be successful. I hope they see what I see … and that’s a pretty good baseball team.”