Marion Athletics -

JONESBORO --- It was a tale of two contests Tuesday afternoon in Marion's 5A East doubleheader at Nettleton's Raider Field.

Marion scored five times in the first inning of the initial contest and never looked back, pulling away for a 19-2 victory.

In the nightcap, however, it was Nettleton who scored early, striking for four runs in the bottom of the first.

But the Pats were undeterred, scoring the final 14 runs of the second game to earn a 14-4 victory and clinch a doubleheader sweep.

Marion's fourth straight league victory catapulted the Patriots into a third-place tie with Valley View, but Marion owns the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Blazers, meaning that Marion would be the No. 3 playoff seed if the season ended today.

The Patriots pounded out 18 hits in the first contest, led by junior all-state leftfielder Kolbie Triplett (2-5 in the first game with a run and an RBI), Presley Kuhn (1-3 with two RBI and two runs), Kayson “KBelle” McClain (4-4 with four RBI and three runs), Kynlee Shaull (3-4 with three RBI and a run scored), Kendall Eppes (1-4 with a run and an RBI), Madelyn Hamrick (three runs scored and a walk), Kaitlyn Austin (3-4 with three RBI and two runs), Hailey Bateman (3-4 with three RBI and two runs) and Sophie Moore (1-4 with a run and an RBI).

McClain and Shaull hit back-to-back home runs in the second inning of the first contest, while Moore cracked a triple, and McClain ripped three doubles, Austin recorded a pair of two-baggers, and Bateman, Eppes, Shaull, and Kuhn each logged one.

Shaull earned the victory inside the circle for Marion, striking out seven Raiders in five innings, allowing just two runs and a pair of hits.
Marion scored five times in the first inning, twice in the second, eight times in the third, once in the fourth, and three times in the fifth.

The Patriot attack remained in high gear in the nightcap, ripping 23 hits to account for 14 runs, including a two-run third inning that gave Marion the lead once and for all.

Every Marion player to earn an at bat in the second game logged a hit, including Triplett (3-6 with three RBI and a run), Austin (2-4 with an RBI and a run), McClain (4-5 with three runs and two RBI), Shaull (3-5 with three RBI and three runs scored), Eppes (1-5 with an RBI and a run), Hamrick (3-5 with two RBI and a run), Bateman (3-5 with two runs), Moore (1-4 with an RBI and a run), and Ashlynn Howard (3-5 with an RBI and a run).

Shaull pounded a pair of home runs in the nightcap, while McClain hit one. Triplett tripled, while McClain stroked two more doubles, and Howard, Austin, Shaull, and Hamrick also recorded two-baggers.

McClain worked the final 6.1 innings to claim the victory for Marion. The junior two-time all-state performer and Florida Atlantic commit allowed just two hits and a single unearned run, while striking out five Raiders for the victory.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Marion hosts Maumelle on Friday afternoon for a varsity/junior varsity doubleheader, with the varsity game beginning at 4:30. That game will not be available on the Marion Patriots Activities Network.

The Patriots continue 5A East play on Tuesday afternoon with a doubleheader at Paragould, and you can watch both Marion-Paragould softball games for free on MPAN.

5A EAST RESULTS ON 4/7
Marion 19, Nettleton 2
Marion 14, Nettleton 4

Searcy 11, Paragould 1
Searcy 16, Paragould 1

Greene Co. Tech 13, W. Memphis 0
Greene Co. Tech 18, W. Memphis 2

Valley View 13, Batesville 3
Valley View 15, Batesville 1

5A EAST STANDINGS ON 4/8
SCHOOL CONF. RECORD
Greene Co. Tech 6-0
Searcy 6-0
Marion 4-2
Valley View 4-2
Batesville 2-4
Paragould 2-4
Nettleton 0-6
W. Memphis 0-6
Top four teams make state tournament at Greene Co. Tech.

5A EAST SERIES ON 4/14
Marion at Paragould
Greene Co. Tech at Batesville
Nettleton at Valley View
W. Memphis at Searcy