Softball: Lady Warriors come up short against Sterling
Sports reporter
After struggling in their opening-season game Friday against Sterling, the Marion High School softball team battled back for a 6-5 lead in game two of the doubleheader.
However, the Black Bears would score the final three runs, giving them a sweep of Marion, 11-1 and 8-6.
Sterling would manage just four hits in game one, but took advantage of eight Warrior errors to claim the victory.
The Black Bears scored seven runs in the first inning, four after a Warrior error that would have ended the inning, to take a commanding lead before Marion even came to the plate.
MHS did manage a run when shortstop Kristin Waner reached on an error with the bases loaded.
After SHS managed a run in the second, the scored stayed the same until the Black Bears managed three more in the fourth for an 11-1 lead.
Shelby Percell tried to keep the Warriors from being run-ruled by smacking a triple into the left-center field gap with one out in the bottom of the fifth.
However, a Warrior ground out and strike out ended the game.
Alex Cain pitched a complete game for Marion, and despite allowing the 11 runs, only gave up four hits on the night.
It was the first career start on the mound for the freshman.
She also recorded a single in the game, as did outfielder Jordan Harper.
MHS was determined not to let the same thing happen in game two, jumping on top 2-0 in the bottom of the first.
After Waner set down the Black Bears 1-2-3 in the top of the first, she recorded an RBI after walking with the bases loaded.
Senior Megan Schmidt did the same, and the Warriors had already doubled their outcome from game one.
Sterling wasn't going to fold easy, as it jumped ahead with three runs in the bottom of the second for a one-run lead, and was up 4-2 after scoring another run in the third.
After an Austin Percell walk, Waner double, and Schmidt walk, outfielder Tacy Taylor joined in on the walk party.
Her bases loaded base on balls made the score 4-3 in favor of Sterling.
Not to be outdone, Anna Laurin drew another walk, and the game was tied at four.
After a 1-2-3 Sterling top of the fourth, MHS loaded the bases once again for Taylor.
This time there was no walk, and Taylor smacked a line drive down the third base line.
Unfortunately for Marion, the Sterling third baseman nabbed it just before it hit the ground, leaving the score tied.
After surrendering an RBI-single in the top of the fifth, catcher Lanna Carroll did her best Babe Ruth impression, cracking a two-out, two run double over the heads of the left and left-center fielders' heads, that brought the frozen crowd to its feet.
MHS led 6-5 and had momentum on their side.
Sterling came right back with an RBI-ground out and RBI-triple, along with another run scored on an error, and now led 8-6.
Waner held them scoreless in the seventh, and the Warriors had one last chance in the bottom of the seventh.
Two strike outs, and a flyout from Shelby Percell ended the first doubleheader of the season.
Percell did have a single earlier in the game, and Waner, Taylor, and Carroll each recorded a double.
The Warriors played Tuesday at Smoky Valley, and are back on the field Thursday for a home game against county rival Hillsboro
