Staff writer
After three weeks of struggling to score runs, the Marion High School baseball team exploded offensively Monday to defeat Minneapolis in the first game of the regional tournament, 15-0, at Marion.
Seven Warriors scored runs and every Warrior, with the exception of shortstop Corey Seacat, recorded a hit by the end of the four-inning contest.
Senior catcher Matt Sprowls led the way with a 3-for-3 night at the plate with 2 runs and four RBIs. David Helmer went 3-for-3 with 2 runs and an RBI. Taylor Hiedebrecht, Dylan Seacat, Cole Lewman, Austin Pedersen, and Jacob Harper also scored multiple runs for the Warriors.
“We had not been hitting well lately,” Sprowls said. “It was nice to hit to our potential. We were just seeing the ball a lot better.”
The Warriors also caught a break to have runners reach base on seven Minneapolis errors and advance on three passed balls. Marion continually put balls in play, only recording two strikeouts in the game.
“Granted we didn’t hit extremely well, but when you ask kids to make play after play, you’re bound to catch a break,” coach Roger Schroeder said.
However, the Warriors did record nine RBIs. While the hits were rarely line drives blasted into the outfield, the strategically-placed ground balls scored runs.
“I don’t know how many balls we rolled through the six-hole,” Schroeder said.
With a stockpile of run support, Ethan Hett relaxed on the mound to throw four no-hit, shutout innings.
“It was a lot nicer,” Hett said of pitching behind a potent offense. “You don’t have to worry if they score.”
Hett allowed five Lion base runners in the game, including walks to leadoff batters in three consecutive innings.
“At times those guys have hurt us really bad,” Schroeder said of walks. “It did seem as soon as he put a guy on he got out of trouble.”
Although he struck out two batters, the no-hitter was recorded without overpowering pitches. Hett did not know he had a no-hitter before his teammates congratulated him on the mound after the victory.
The Warrior hurler also benefited from stout Marion defense. As he did two games earlier against Hoisington, Lewman made a diving catch he punctuated with a roll in left field on a line drive hit straight at him in the first inning.
The Warriors turned two double plays. Harper stepped on the third base bag after a groundout and then quickly threw to first to end the second inning, stranding two Minneapolis runners. Dylan Seacat caught a pop fly between second and first bases and threw to first just ahead of a Lion runner.
“I knew I had that defense behind me,” Hett said.
Sprowls said the team is comfortable knowing that they only have to concentrate for a game at a time with the regional tournament format and the victory was a statement that the Warriors are not a team to take lightly.
“We showed that we can play with anybody,” Sprowls said.
The Warriors will play Hillsboro for the third time this season at 2 p.m. today in the second round.
“Win or lose,” Schroeder said, “We’re going to be ready to play.”