Marion High School players and fans erupted in cheers Friday when relief pitcher Wil Case struck out Hillsboro High School’s Luke Moore to save game two of the doubleheader against the Trojans, 6-5.

The Warriors took a 1-0 lead in the third inning when Brian Fruechting hit an RBI single to drive in Corey Seacat. The lead was extended in the fifth inning when Adam Maag drove in Isaac Hett.

With two outs in the fifth, Case hit a fly ball to the outfield, but the Hillsboro player dropped the ball, allowing Maag and Fruechting to score. The Warriors reached their largest lead of the game, 5-0, when Maag walked with the bases loaded in the sixth inning.

The Trojans weren’t going to make it easy for MHS. Hillsboro scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, including a two-run homer by Tyler Ediger.

Fruechting walked to begin the seventh inning, and he reached third base on passed balls. Case drove Fruechting in with a line drive to center field, giving Marion a 6-3 lead.

Case took the mound in the seventh inning with runners on second and third bases, a 6-4 lead, and no outs. Hillsboro’s Aaron Bina was out on a ground ball, but another runner scored.

Case struck out the next batter. Ediger returned to the plate after hitting a home run in his previous at-bat. Case walked Ediger after reaching a full count. HHS put in a pinch runner, who stole second base.

Moore came to the plate with runners on second and third, down one. Case pitched to a full count before striking him out, holding on for the 6-5 Warrior victory.

“I wasn’t that nervous until I walked Ediger,” Case said.

He discarded his curveball, knowing he could count on his fastball to get through.

The players worked together as a team and didn’t give up, MHS Head Coach Tyler Mermis said.

“Mike (Jeffrey) and I are coaching a great group of talented men,” he said.

Game one

The Warriors couldn’t get their offense on track against HHS pitcher Jacob Edwards in game one. Edwards pitched a six-inning no-hitter on the way to a 10-0 Hillsboro win.

The Warriors were hitting the ball well, but everything seemed to go right to a Hillsboro fielder, Case said.

The Trojans jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first inning, but Marion’s defense clamped down after that, allowing one run in the second inning, and none in the third, fourth, and fifth innings.

Hillsboro scored two in the sixth inning for a 10-0 run-rule win.

Mermis said he thought the team suffered from some jitters to begin game one, but they worked them out in time to win game two.

MHS Statistics

Wil Case: 1-6, 3 RBI, 1 ROE

Abe Eldridge: 0-2, 1 ROE

Brian Fruechting: 1-4, 2 R, 1 RBI

Issac Hett: 0-2, 1 BB, 1 HPB

Erik Kjellin: 0-4

Adam Maag: 1-5, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 HBP

Colton Olsen: 1-6

Austin Pederson: 0-0, 1 BB

Marshall Ragland: 0-4, 1 BB

Corey Seacat: 1-6, 1 BB, 1 R