The Marion High School baseball team picked up its first win of the year with an 8-6 clipping of Nickerson Friday. Nickerson took the opener 6-2, but Marion?s offense cracked starting pitcher McConnell for seven runs in the first two innings of the second game.
Colton Olsen carried the pitching load for Marion, striking out five batters against five walks in five innings. Nickerson posted single runs against him in the first, second and fourth, then broke out a 3-run fifth to close within a run.
The Warriors recovered one run, and Wil Case made the lead stand up, earning a 6-out save without allowing a hit.
Case, Matt Sprowls and Brian Fruechting did most of the offensive damage for Marion, scoring two runs apiece. Fruechting homered and drove in four runs. Case singled, doubled, and drove in two.
Marion led 1-0 an inning into the first game, and maintained a 2-1 edge through the third. But Nickerson scored five unanswered runs?three in the top of the fourth?to saddle Cole Lewman with the loss.
Proffitt through a complete game 3-hitter with eight strikeouts to pick up the win for Nickerson.
Case and Olson scored Marion?s runs.
For the recaps of Marion?s games against Hillsboro, see 1B.
Coming?Marion visited Haven Tuesday and hosts Halstead Friday. The Warriors will visit Smoky Valley Tuesday (April 28).
