Win and move on – that’s just what the Marshals did in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Hickman County in their opening round game of the First Region Tournament. They advance to play #5 McCracken County on Sunday at 2:00 in the semi-finals, a game previously scheduled for Monday at 5:00. The Mustangs beat Mayfield 15-0 in three innings to advance.
Tied 2-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth, a single by Griffin Darnall drove in Evan Oakley for the go-ahead run and ultimately the game winner.
Clay Hale pitched five innings, striking out five while allowing two runs and six hits. Jace Driver in relief finished out the final two innings, striking out five of eight batters faced – allowing no hits and no runs to pick up the win.
The Marshals early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second began on a walk by Chase Hayden with the run scoring on a two out RBI by Parker Gibbs who reached on an error and brought Chase Shelton – running for Darnall – across the plate.
Hickman took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth – scoring on singles by Micah Naranjo and Eli Prince.
In the bottom of the fifth, Ty Davenport singled and Parker Gibbs was hit by a pitch to put two base runners on. A Chase Gibbs sacrifice moved them to second and third and the game was tied 2-2 on a sacrifice fly by Conner Mannon that scored Davenport.
Darnall’s game winning RBI in the bottom of the sixth keeps the season alive.
Hickman 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 6 1
Marshall 0 1 0 0 1 1 x 3 3 0
Hickman: Midyette 1/3, Harper 1/3, M. Naranjo 1/3 (RBI), C. Naranjo 1/3, Prince 1/2 (RBI), Carter 1/2
Marshall: Mannon (RBI), E. Oakley 1/3, Darnall 1/3 (RBI), Davenport 1/3
Hickman: Prince 5.0 (1 hit, 2 runs, 5 SO), McClannahan 1.0 (2 hits, 1 run)
Marshall: Hale 5.0 (6 hits, 2 runs, 5 SO), Driver 2.0 (0 hits, 0 runs, 5 SO)
Record: Hickman 19-11, Marshall 14-10
Marshall vs Hickman – 1st Region Tournament
