Staff writer
The Marion High School baseball team cannot catch a break.
After losing 8-7 to Hoisington in the first game Tuesday, the Warriors were poised to snap a five-game losing streak in the second game.
Marion started the second game with back-to-back RBI singles from Matt Sprowls and Austin Pedersen to score Zach Robson and Cole Lewman. Sprowls also scored in the first inning on an RBIs groundout by Caleb Williams.
Ethan Hett put together two solid innings, only giving up one hit to the hottest Hoisington batter — Dylan Bell, who went 3-for-3 with three RBI in the first game.
Jordan Harper scored on a single by Robson to start the second inning. The Warriors had one out, a 4-0 lead, runners on first and third, and Lewman at the plate when the wind that had been whipping across the diamond into right field all night brought in dark skies that began to pour rain.
After a 15-minute game delay, the umpires called the game. Marion’s regular season ended with a 10-9 record.
“We came out on fire and then it rains,” coach Roger Schroeder said. “We were going to pour it on. We needed it.”
A victory would have quickly erased the memory of the first game. Like losses against Hillsboro, Ell-Saline, and Sedgwick the Warriors had a chance to win or tie the game with runners in scoring position in the seventh inning.
David Helmer started the inning with a single and pinch runner Justin Rahe advanced to third base after a Taylor Heidebrecht single. Schroeder put Heidebrecht on the move with reliable hitter Dylan Seacat at the plate. Seacat hit a line drive to the Hoisington second baseman. Heidebrecht was stranded between second and first base and the Cardinals ended the game with a double play.
“Nine times out of 10, Dylan hits the ball on the ground,” Schroeder said. “In the same situation I’d do the same thing again.”
The Warriors played strong defense in the first contest. Lewman made a diving, rolling catch in center field in the second inning. First baseman Helmer caught a ball along the right field fence in the third inning. From behind the plate, Sprowls threw out four base runners, three attempting to steal at second and one he picked off at first.
However, it was an error in the fourth inning that led to 4 Hoisington runs and a 7-5 Cardinal lead. A ball was hit slowly along the first-base line. Pitcher Grif Case fielded the ball cleaning, but Helmer was also charging in from his position to potentially make a play on the ball. Seacat was slow moving toward the bag on the defensive rotation and Case threw the ball into right field.
“I tell the guys this all the time, small things get magnified in close games,” Schroeder said.
Case pitched solidly for the Warriors after Pedersen left the first game after two outs in the first.
“He just didn’t have it tonight,” Schroeder said. “He didn’t have his normal velocity on his fastball.”
Case pitched five innings with a strikeout, while surrendering 5 runs, nine hits, and five walks.
“He kept us in the game,” Schroeder said.
Marion scored 2 runs in the fifth inning to tie the game. Helmer scored on an RBI fielder’s choice groundout by Seacat. Harper scored on a double by Lewman.
Hoisington scored in the next inning — Bryce Steiner singled in Colton Zink — to give the Cardinals their final lead.
Schroeder was pleased with Helmer’s and Harper’s days at the plate. Helmer went 3-for-3 with 2 runs and an RBI; Harper went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI. The Marion coach was looking for the two veteran hitters to break out of slumps before regionals.
Lewman was also 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Harper and Lewman were slashing balls to the opposite field, right field for the right-handed hitters.
“A day like today,” Schroeder said referring to the strong wind. “That’s what you have to do to be successful.”
The Warriors will play Monday in the regional tournament in Marion, likely in the 4:30 game, activities director Tod Gordon said. Seeding was still up in the air with many teams finishing seasons Tuesday.