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Softball season ends with loss to Trojans

Sports reporter

Marion High School softball team ended its season one game from a regional championship match-up Thursday with a 13-3 loss to rival Hillsboro.

After knocking off Hesston May 14 in the first round for the third time this season, Hillsboro returned the favor, beating Marion for the third time.

"We played very well against Hesston," coach Sandy Black said. "I think we let some nerves get in the way [against Hillsboro]."

While the other two games were close, the Trojans jumped ahead early in this one and never let up.

Marion was flat from the start, but turned it around late with better defense, and more active bats.

After turning a double play in the top of the first inning, HHS added four runs in the first with five hits while MHS contributed with two errors.

MHS continued to struggle at the plate, going 1-2-3 in the second.

It was more of the same for Hillsboro as they added seven runs in the bottom of the second to take an 11-0 lead.

Marion could have given up after that, instead the defense held Hillsboro for the next two innings, and showed some life in the top of the fifth.

After a Kristen Waner single, and an error, Austin Percell laid down a perfect bunt. The throw to first was wild, and Waner scored the team's first run.

After an out, Erica Geis ripped an RBI-single into left field, and Sonja Steinborn added an RBI-groundout.

Catcher Lanna Carroll looked to extend the inning with a blast to center field, but the ball hung up just enough to be caught.

Hillsboro would score one in the bottom half of the inning, and finally one more in the sixth which led to the run rule.

"They could have very easily been run-ruled early but they hung in there," Black said. "Somebody has to lose and unfortunately it was us."

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