Warriors lose openers to Hillsboro
By Eric Clark
Sports Editor
Although Marion struggled to post runs on the board Thursday night vs. Hillsboro and fell in both games, Marion head coach Sean Spoonts said he isn't worried about the losses.
The Warriors lost game No. 1, 9-2 and game No. 2, 3-0, but according to Spoonts the season-opening losses can be chalked up to good old fashioned game lessons.
"I told our kids 'don't have your heads down on this game, this is an assessment point," Spoonts said. "This is where we're at right now and you know where we need to be when regionals come around.
"Our kids know what it's going to take to get to state again — we've got to practice. We can't make game-time adjustments and expect to win ball games. We're prepared to do the work it's going to take to get back to state."
Game 2: Hillsboro 3, Marion 0 — In the second game of the double header, Marion pitcher Mitch Enos was pitted against Hillsboro's Jared Metcalf in a battle on the mound.
Metcalf pitched six scoreless innings and gave up only six hits while coming away with the win.
Meanwhile, Enos, who gave up two runs in the first inning and a run in the second that would eventually be the difference, rallied through the rest of the contest without allowing a run.
"Jared Metcalf pitched a great ball game and so did Mitch (Enos)," Spoonts said. "I thought they both played really well the last game of the double header.
"(Hillsboro) is a great ball club. Hats off to them. They made the plays in the second game they really did make the plays."
Enos pitched eight innings, striking out eight batters, and allowing six hits. The Marion hurler surrendered two earned runs and one base-on-balls.
Marion's Bronson Shipman was 2-for-3 and Matt Rhodes finished 2-for-4 hitting in game two.
Shawn Hughbanks was 2-for-3 with one RBI and Dustin Jost was 2-for-3 with one run scored in the Trojan offensive attack.
Game 1: Hillsboro 9 Marion 2 — In the first game, Spoonts watched as the Trojans teed-off on rookie pitcher Jimmy Shipman, who recorded his first career start.
"Shawn Hughbanks just killed the ball," Spoonts said. "He had our number. He and (Dustin) Jost. They're the best hitters you're going to see in the state."
Despite surrendering nine runs, Spoonts said he was extremely pleased with Shipman's performance.
Shipman pitched six innings, striking out five, giving up eight hits, and six earned runs in his Warrior starting debut.
Offensively, the Warriors were led by catcher Tyler Richmond, who was 1-for-3, including one hit and one run batted in. Clayton Chamberland, Bronson Shipman, and Matt Rhodes finished 1-for-3 in the game. Shipman and Richmond each added an RBI.
This Friday the Warriors (0-2) will travel to Wichita to take on Cottonwood Valley League opponent Wichita Independent. Game time is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
