Sports editor
After dropping its season opener April 3 at home, Marion fell to 0-4 April 7 after two, run-rule losses at Wichita Collegiate.
In the losses, the Warriors managed just one hit, a single from third baseman Brian Fruechting, and were outscored 25-0.
Head coach Shaun Craft said his team is hitting the ball, just to the wrong spots.
“It just seems we are struggling a little at the plate,” Craft said. “The biggest thing is we’re just hitting it right at them and not finding the gaps.”
The batted balls are going to have to find some holes soon, especially if the pitching does not improve.
MHS pitchers gave up 17 hits and 25 runs in their last doubleheader, while the defense committed five errors.
The Spartans (4-0) have a chance to be an elite team this year, but Craft said those numbers have to improve no matter who the Warriors are playing.
“So far we are not finding the (strike) zone very well, and when we do we are leaving too many pitches up,” Craft said.
The fourth-year coach thinks the team will improve as the season progresses.
“We still are moving some people around to find the right combinations,” he said.
The team has battled poor weather since the start of practice, and was without its head coach due to illness in the season-opener.
Feeling better Monday, Craft said the weather is not an excuse.
“We are in the same situation as everyone else as far as dealing with weather and getting in some quality practices,” he said. “We are getting there.”
Hillsboro
The Warriors tried twice this past week to play a home doubleheader against Hillsboro but were rained-out both times.
The teams will try a third time at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
The next game for MHS is Friday at home against Nickerson.