Marion softball wins fourth straight, baseball wins fifth

By RYAN RICHTER

Staff writer

If you’re a winless team looking to get on track, Marion’s probably not the opponent teams want to see.

The Moundridge Wildcats found that out firsthand Thursday with the visiting Warrior baseball and softball teams leaving with a combined 4-0 record.

The Warriors’ softball team pushed its record to 4-2 on the year, coming from behind in both games for 15-12 and 20-18 thrillers.

In baseball action, despite falling behind 4-2 in the opener, the Warriors exploded for 7 runs in the fifth to dispatch Moundridge in five 16-5, and 11-3 in the nightcap.

The Warriors’ varsity teams return to action Tuesday April 17, hosting Ell-Saline.

Baseball

Marion jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opener before the Wildcats pulled within one off Warrior starting pitcher Sam Zinn.

Zinn surrendered four hits and three earned runs through three innings, but still picked up the win.

The Warriors’ waters got rough in the bottom of the second with Moundridge doubling Marion over, 4-2, with a 3-run inning.

Marion closed the gap to 4-3 in the top of the third before breaking the game open in the fourth.

A six-run onslaught in the fourth and seven in the fifth marked the end for the Wildcats with Marion going through two Moundridge relievers.

Going 2-for-4, Luke Lanning drove in a game-high 4 RBIs, while the trio of Jacob Vondenkamp, Blaine Mermis, and Garrett Hoffner driving in two each in an 11-hit outing.

Jaxton Tracy notched his team-high third win on the season, getting the start in the finale.

Through six innings, Tracy limited Moundridge to six hits and two earned runs while striking out seven for the victory.

The Wildcats’ previous ending from the opener continued with Marion getting out to fast 5-0 start.

The Warriors pounded out 10 hits and again battered the Moundridge bullpen, stretching the lead to 7-0 heading into the bottom of the second.

By the time the Wildcats could finally push any runs across in the bottom of the sixth, they were in jeopardy of another shortened game facing an 11-0 deficit.

Corbin Wheeler was 1-for-2 in the finale, driving in a game-high three RBIs, including a run-scoring double.

The Wildcats’ two run-sixth marked just the third time a team has lasted seven innings against Marion.

Softball

One thing the Warriors have going for them this year is the ability to manufacture runs.

It took three innings and ratcheting up on defense, but Marion finally overtook Moundridge with a 6-run fourth.

Warrior pitcher Grace Overton had the opener short circuit with Moundridge building a 4-0 lead by the time Marion got to the plate the top of the second.

Overton went the full seven innings for the win, tossing a four-hitter while striking out six and surrendering three earned runs for the win.

Lindsey Sigel was 3-for-5 in the opener, driving in a game-high 4 RBIs, breaking up the shutout to pull Marion to 4-3 closing out the second.

The game remained a seesaw battle throughout most of the contest with Moundridge building a 7-4 lead heading into the pivotal top of the fourth.

Kourtney Hansen also was 3-for-5 in the opener, driving in two RBIs to finally get the Warriors over the hill, 10-9.

The lead wouldn’t hold long, though, and the Wildcats knotted the score up at 10-10 with a three-run fourth.

Marion secured the victory in the top half of the seventh with a five-run eruption.

The Wildcats gave chase, but the 5-2 final inning proved to be the difference.

The finale was as exciting as the first with Marion hanging on for the 20-18 win.