Patriots sweep Searcy in doubleheader

Marion wins 5A conference opener against Lions

By CHUCK LIVINGSTON

Marion School District

SEARCY — Marion head baseball coach Pete Prater doesn’t mind winning games behind a strong pitching staff and a stingy defense.

Prater’s preference was on full display here Wednesday night at Searcy Sports Complex, as Prater’s Patriots (5-2 overall, 2-0 5A East) swept Searcy in a conference doubleheader 5-1 and 2-1.

“We’re still searching for something on offense, but the pitchers did a great job,” said Prater, Marion’s fifth-year coach. “We’re not making adjustments quick enough right now at the plate, but we’re going to figure it out even if I have to make them figure it out.”

In the opener, senior Arkansas State signee Chase Armstrong dazzled Searcy for seven innings, striking out 12 hitters, scattering four hits, and surrendering just one earned run. Armstrong pounded the zone, throwing 63 of his 92 pitches for strikes.

While Armstrong baffled Searcy, Marion managed just two hits in the opener and struck out 16 times. The Patriots struck for single runs in the third and sixth innings, before throwing up a three-spot in the top of the seventh.

Marion leadoff man and catcher Dylan Kight, a UARich Mountain signee, reached base three times in the opener.

The Pats struck first in the third inning when senior Kaleb Catt scored Payton Voyles on a groundout.

The Pats added another single tally in the sixth when Connor Taylor scored Gage Watson with a single.

Kight tallied Marion’s third run in the seventh when he scored Matthew Kearney on a double into the gap. When junior Slade Inman entered for Kight as a courtesy runner, Inman scored on an error. Marion capped the scoring when Catt came around on a passed ball.

Armstrong insisted on making those runs stand up by striking out the side in the first, fourth, and fifth innings, and retiring eight consecutive batters in the middle of the game.

While Armstrong impressed in the opener, senior Ben Gerrard was nearly as effective in the nightcap. The righty struck out 12 Lions and allowed just a pair of hits to ground the Searcy attack. Gerrard retired 14 straight Searcy batters between the first and fifth inning when he surrendered his first hit.

As Gerrard cruised, Marion managed enough offense to make it stand up when Kight singled in the bottom of the first and took second on the throw. The senior catcher stole third and scored on a throwing error for an early 1-0 lead.

Marion tallied its second run in the fourth when Gerrard drew a walk before giving way to courtesy runner Tyler Carey. Carey scored on a Kearney fielder’s choice for a 2-0 advantage.

The Pats recorded just four hits in the second game but went down on strikes just three times.

“I thought we competed much better at the plate in that second game,” said Prater. “Sunshine (Gerrard) was great, and threw it really well, and competed all night for us.”

Marion plays Thursday at Brookland, and at Tennessee state power Houston on Friday before competing in a tournament in Gulf Shores, Alabama this weekend.

The Patriots return home to John Robbins Field at First Security Bank of Eastern Arkansas Stadium on Tuesday, March 29, when Jonesboro comes to town for a conference varsity doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

Photo by Emmy Buffalo

Marion catcher Dylan Kight (37) takes a cut on Wednesday afternoon in the Pats’ 5-1 victory in the opener of a doubleheader.