Bulldogs Varsity Baseball

Free passes and timely hitting propelled Marceline to a 6-2 win against Brookfield in Thursday's varsity baseball action.
The Bulldogs got off to a great start when Colton Parn led off with a blast to center, the senior's first home run of the season. However, the Tigers answered with a leadoff home run of their own to knot the game at 1-1.

The Tigers took the lead, 3-1, in the bottom of the second inning. A single and two walks loaded the bases, and an RBI ground out and RBI single plated the runners. 

The Bulldogs produced base runners in the next four innings, including two in the third and fourth, but all were stranded.
The Tigers threatened in the fifth with a two-out walk, followed by a base hit. However, Garret Wood relieved starter Parn, who had a solid start on the mound, and struck out the next batter for the third out.

Wood led off the 6th with a single to left and stole second and third. Ryder Techau coaxed a one-out walk and stole second. Bryson Shoop scored Wood with an RBI groundout, drawing the 'Dogs to within 3-2. Parn then walked, but a groundout ended the rally.

The Tigers loaded the bases in the bottom of the frame with one out, and a groundout produced one run. A walk loaded the bases again, and the Tigers capitalized with a two-out single to left, scoring the final two runs.
The Bulldogs coaxed a leadoff walk in the 7th, but then went down in order.

Though the Bulldogs were obviously disappointed in falling to a bitter rival, they played error-free ball for the first time this season. The wind was also a factor, as both teams walked eight batters.

Riley Hinckle led the Bulldogs with two hits, while Parn (HR, RBI, BB, SB), Trayce Switzer (2 BB, 3 SB), Shoop (RBI) and Wood (run, 2 SB) each had one hit. Techau walked three times and stole a bag, and Hank Parks added two walks and a steal.

Parn tossed 4.2 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and five walks, while striking out three. Wood pitched 1.1 innings in relief giving up three runs on three hits and three walks. He had one punchout.

The Bulldogs welcome South Shelby on Monday.

Story by: Dennis Hughes