Since their season began nearly two months ago, it seems no matter what challenges the West Marion Trojans face, they always find a way to succeed.
Ranked as the No. 1 team in the state in Class 3A by MaxPreps, which uses a computer algorithm based on wins, losses and strength of schedule, and No. 2 by Capital Sports, the Trojans (16-1, 6-0) extended their winning streak to 12 games last week with a convincing district sweep and a marathon, extra-inning thriller.
It started April 6 at Tylertown when West Marion needed just four innings to down the Chiefs 17-0, with Jayden Duncan stealing the show with a home run, double and tying a career-best with 6 RBI. Miles Maliden also ripped a long ball to go along with a single and 3 RBI, while Mason Parrett and Eli Street each drove in a pair of runs.
Duncan, who is averaging 12.1 strikeouts per seven innings this season, was downright filthy on the mound, tossing a perfect game through three innings while fanning six. Although the perfect game was lost in the fourth inning, Kollin Green closed the deal with a scoreless inning in relief with two strikeouts.
With Tylertown visiting The Swamp April 8 for Game 2 of the district series, the Trojans ended it with the run rule in the fifth inning for a 14-4 victory. Duncan once again paced West Marion at the dish with a pair of doubles, a single and 4 RBI. Parrett connected for a double and two singles to drive in a pair, Tre Broom singled twice and walked twice, Green had 3 RBI and Maliden and Andrew Singley both plated two runs. Maliden went the distance on the mound, striking out nine while allowing three earned runs on four hits and two walks.
“Their pitching was a lot better. In Game 1, we came out and swung the bats really well. In Game 2, it was pretty close the first couple of innings, then they made a pitching change and we were able to bust it open,” head coach Derrick Jerkins said. “They were greatly improved from the past couple of years, but I think we’re swinging the bats pretty well right now.”
While the two-game sweep of Tylertown was par for the course, the Trojans faced an uphill climb Friday against Loyd Star and ended up playing more than two full games worth of baseball. After falling behind 7-1 through two innings, West Marion slowly chipped away at the Hornets’ lead to force extra innings. In all the game totaled 16 innings and nearly five hours before the Trojans were able to secure an 11-10 victory.
“We kept chipping back then ended up taking a 10-8 lead, then we gave up the lead in the sixth. They tied it up 10-10, then from the sixth (inning) to the 16th, neither team scored. We finally scored in the 16th.”
Tre Broom drew the start and got touched up for seven runs on five hits and two walks through 1 2/3 innings before giving way to Josh Boone, who lasted 3 2/3 innings and allowed three runs (one earned) and struck out three. Jayden Duncan then took over and delivered a near flawless performance across 8 1/3 shutout innings, fanning four and allowing just three hits. Kollin Green got the win in relief of Duncan, tossing 2 1/3 shutout frames.
“(Duncan) came in and kept them from scoring. They brought in one of their betters arms, too. I thought they started their ace (Wyatt Hodges) against us, but we hit him pretty well. Then they brought in a tough lefty (Dawson Hester) who pitched several innings. Against him we couldn’t get anything going offensively (no hits in 7 1/3 innings) for a while.”
Jerkins added West Marion’s defense was one of the key reasons the Trojans were able to hang on to win. With the bases loaded, Broom made a great play at shortstop that if he didn’t make would’ve ended the game. They also turned a double play in extra innings that if they didn’t get the second out, a run would’ve scored to give Loyd Star the victory.
West Marion had won 10 consecutive games by at least three runs, many of which were by more than 10, so to get the experience to play and win a tight contest was good for the Trojans, according to Jerkins.
“I felt like we really needed to play somebody tight, and I felt like we needed to get down big and see if we could come back. We were down 7-1, so that was big for us. Then to play extra innings and never give up and keep fighting to pull it out, that was big as we move forward,” he said. “I’m really glad we got to play that game because it helped us a lot in different aspects.”
While the Trojans compiled 12 hits and eight walks drawn against Loyd Star, they were limited to just two extra-base hits — a pair of doubles by Parrett, who also singled and drove in four runs. Green (RBI) and Jonathan Miller each singled three times, and Duncan and Boone both drove in a pair.
The Trojans were supposed to play South Jones Saturday, but the game was postponed because of the inclement weather Friday night into Saturday morning. They are scheduled to host South Jones this Saturday, and Jenkins said it’s possible it could turn into a doubleheader to make up the missed game.
West Marion played host to Seminary Tuesday, but results were unavailable at press time. It will take on Seminary for Game 2 on the road Friday.
“Seminary has always played us tough. I’m expecting them to be a solid baseball team, and I’m expecting it to be two close games,” Jerkins said.
If West Marion wins just one of the two games against the Bulldogs, it will secure the Region 8-3A title. Jerkins said Monday it would be nice to clinch the district at home Tuesday, especially because in 2019 the Trojans needed help to win the district rather than claiming it without assistance.
UPDATE: West Marion beat Seminary 9-2 Tuesday to clinch the district title. Maliden struck out 13 batters in five innings to earn the win.
