Patriots softball, baseball sweep Nettleton

Marion takes pair of doubleheaders from Raiders

Marion School District Both Patriot diamond squads completed their sweeps of Nettleton on Monday, but the level of enjoyment for the Patriot coaching staffs was very different. Marion softball started slow, but was unstoppable late; while the Patriot baseball team discovered a number of areas to improve on.

Marion softball (12-5 overall, 6-0 5A East) outhit the Lady Raiders (7-8, 0-6) 288 in their two games on Tuesday. Marion only led 2-0 after the third inning in game one, but got the bats going in the fourth with four hits, including two doubles. The Lady Pats would ride that momentum for the rest of the night, claiming 8-0 and 14-1 victories to stay undefeated in conference play.

Six Lady Pats had multi-hit performances, including a 6-for-8 night for leadoff batter Emerson Miller.

Four of her hits were for more than one base, including two home runs and a triple.

Anna Murphy threw every pitch for Marion on Tuesday. Murphy threw 6 strikeouts with no walks in her 12.2 innings of work.

Patriot baseball (13-3, 5-1) had their struggles against the Raiders (8-9, 1-5), but still managed to get the sweep on Tuesday. The Pats were actually out-hit by Nettleton in the first game, but Marion took advantage of the opportunities they were given for the 13-3 and 8-0 victories.

Marion had more baserunners than Nettleton in the first game, despite the 7-6 advantage for the Raiders in the hit column. Six 13 runs came with off of walks or HBPs with the bases loaded.

The second game started slow, but momentum started to build for the Pats in the fourth inning. Marion opened up the scoring with a two-run homer by Daedrick Cail to left center, followed by an RBI triple by Ben Gerrard a few batters later. Marion scored in every inning after that to claim the 8-0 win. The Pats outhit the Raiders, 10-2, behind the seven combined strikeouts thrown by Gerrard, Tyler McGinnis, and Daxton Davis.

For complete coverage of all Marion Patriot athletic teams, visit marionpatriots. com.

Photo by Christy Catt

Photo by Tyler Bennett