LEBANON — There was a little drama in the first inning at Doc Adams Field on Thursday. But Lebanon got the bats going and rolled to a 10-2 Southwest District triumph over Marion, winning its second in a row and five of its last six.
“I feel like we’re starting to heat up a little bit,” said outfielder Toby Baker. We’re putting the barrel on the ball a lot. I’m proud of the team. We’re working hard, and it’s showing.”
Brody Witt and Mason Push started the game for the Scarlet Hurricane with softly hit infield singles placed in the perfect position. Carter Sayer then walked to load the bases with no one out.
Lebanon starting pitcher Isaac Godsey then got Jack Pugh to ground into a 6-4-3 double play, with only one run scoring. Godsey then got a ground out to get out of the inning without any more damage.
“I had faith in my guys, and I had faith in Isaac on the mound for sure,” Baker said. “I knew he could get out of a situation like that. It was a little scary, but we got out of it, and that’s all that matters. That got us going and gave us some confidence for sure.”
Sayer, an Emory & Henry College signee retired the first two Lebanon batters in the bottom of the first. Dagan Barton got things started with a single to right. Nathan Phillips and Baker walked to load the bases. Sayer struggled to find the strike zone and proceeded to walk in three runs.
“Sayer had a rough start there,” Marion coach Kevin Terry said. “We have to throw more strikes.
“We hit the ball very poorly tonight. We are a way better-hitting team than this. I think we’ve had eight hits total in the last two games (against Virginia High and Lebanon). That’s not going to win ballgames against good teams.”
Sayer got out of the second inning unscathed, but the Pioneers broke it open in the third with another two-out rally. Baker singled, and Noah Delp walked. Luke Garrett ripped a two-run single up the middle. Garrett advanced to second and third on wild pitches and scored on a hit by Eli Breeding for a 6-1 lead.
Sayer was pulled after three innings. He totaled seven strikeouts but allowed five hits and issued six bases on balls.
Marion (6-4, 1-3 SWD) added their final run in the fourth. Pugh walked and eventually scored on an error. Godsey retired the final four batters he faced, going five innings with six Ks to get his second win on the bump.
“They had two infield hits (in the first), and they were really tough plays,” Lebanon coach Cody Compton said. “There’s not much you can do about that. I felt Isaac settled down and battled. Godsey is a sophomore. I thought he threw a great game against a really good team over there.”
Barton and Chance Parker pitched an inning of scoreless relief while the offense continued to rack up runs. Baker singled and scored his third run on a hit by Godsey in the fourth.
“I’m starting to see the ball well,” said Baker. “I’m not getting up there trying to kill the ball, my plan is to get on base. I feel it’s working out.”
Barton had a two-run hit in the fifth. Delp singled and eventually scored on a wild pitch in the sixth. Lebanon (7-5, 3-0 SWD) finished with 11 hits.
“The first inning, Marion helped us out some,” Compton said. “After that, Sayer settled down and threw well. Toby swung it well, and Dagan had a couple of hits. We’re coming along. With the good weather, we’re finally getting to play consistently, and it’s paying off for us.”