News editor
The Marion softball team lost in the regional quarterfinals Monday to Trinity Catholic of Hutchinson, 8-7, to end the season. The Warriors compiled several highlights in the game, though.
Marion got on the scoreboard first with a two-run double by Megan Richmond in the top of the first inning, taking a 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the inning, the defense made a highlight reel play when catcher Paige May picked a Celtic runner off first base, resulting in a rundown. Shelby Felvus made the tag near first base.
Trinity tied the game in the bottom of the second inning, but Marion reclaimed the lead in the third inning. Felvus led off with a single, then Samantha Davies put down a sacrifice bunt. Felvus went from first to third on the play, then scored thanks to a bad throw to third base. Trinity took a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the third inning.
The Warriors tied the game again with a two-run double by Davies in the top of the fourth inning, driving the ball down the left field line. May made another strong defensive play in the bottom of the fourth inning, throwing out a runner stealing second by a full stride or more. However, the Celtics retook the lead, 7-5, in the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Bailey Robson made a diving catch for the third out in centerfield. Her catch saved at least two runs. Robson scored in the top of the sixth on a single by Felvus, cutting the deficit to 7-6.
After some bad luck loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth, third baseman Reann Hamm made a heads-up play to throw a runner out at home to save a run, preventing Trinity from extending the lead. Shayla Kline drove in the tying run in the top of the seventh with a single to left field. Trinity scored a run with one out in the bottom of the seventh to end the game, 8-7.
The Warriors finished the year with an 11-10 record. Coach Jennifer Felvus complimented the seniors — Richmond, Megan Davies, Cheyenne Jeffrey, and Amanda Stuchlik — on the leadership they provided throughout the season, and added that although she wasn’t able to play, Alyssa Edwards was good to have around the team and in the dugout.
“This senior class is pretty special,” Felvus said.
Season leaders
Samantha Davies led the team in hits this season with 28, including 7 extra-base hits. Kayla Kroupa led the team in runs batted in with 19. Richmond and Shelby Felvus tied for the lead in runs scored with 25. Richmond also led in walks drawn, 22, and strikeouts thrown, 75 — Richmond threw 12 strikeouts on Monday alone.