The West Marion Trojans remain in search of their first win of the season after taking three tough losses over the past week. They fell on the road Feb. 21 in a 7-3 loss to Purvis, followed by a 3-2 loss Friday in a rematch with the Tornadoes and a 12-11 home loss Saturday against Lawrence County.
The Trojans (0-6) fell behind early in their first meeting with the Tornadoes when a miscalculated throw by Kolby Stringer sailed over the head of senior catcher Kollin Green, allowing a runner to score from third base. They rallied quickly, however, tying the score on a single hit by junior Jonathon Miller in the bottom of the second to bring in Trace McDonald for a run. They captured the lead in the very next at-bat, with a single hit by Green that brought Jacob Buffalo across home plate for a 2-1 advantage.
Tied 2-2 entering the bottom of the third, West Marion took control of the scoreboard once again. The Tornadoes made a pitching change after a single by Stringer and two walks loaded the bases. The incoming pitcher then hit Buffalo with a pitch, sending him to first base and bringing around Stringer for another go-ahead run.
Unfortunately for the Trojans, not only was Stringer the last Trojan to cross home plate for a run, but he was also the last Trojan to record a hit in the contest. Their lineup was held in check throughout the final four innings, reach base twice on walks but being unable to advance into scoring position.
The Tornadoes, however, kept their foot on the gas. Back-to-back doubles in the bottom of the fourth resulted a two-run lead for Purvis, and an error on a throw to first led to two more runs in the bottom of the sixth as the Tornadoes pulled away for the 7-3 win.
Stringer pitched three innings in the loss for the Trojans, allowing two runs on one hit and striking out eight. Buffalo and Miller entered the game from the bullpen, throwing 2 1/3 innings and 2/3 of an inning respectively. Four Trojans earned hits from the plate, led by Green and Miller, who were both 1-for-4 with an RBI.
Friday's rematch was even more of a defensive battle, with only five combined runs reaching home plate through seven innings. The Tornadoes' pitching staff combined for eight strikeouts in the outing, and Miller and McDonald combined for nine strikeouts for West Marion.
That didn't appear to be the case in the top of the first, as a fast start at the plate led to an early lead for the Tornadoes. A double in the first at-bat set the stage for a sacrifice fly three at-bats later. In the top of the sixth, back-to-back fielding errors by the Trojans' defense allowed Purvis to score again. Moments later, a double brought home a runner from first base, adding more cushion to the lead entering the top of the seventh.
Knowing they were running out of opportunities, the Trojans battled back with three big hits in the seventh. The first was a solo home run by junior Nik Carney in the first at-bat of the side, narrowing the deficit to two runs. The second was a line drive to right field by Buffalo, and the third was a single by Green that brought home Buffalo for the Trojans' second run of the evening.
Green advanced to second base moments later on a passed ball, putting the tying run in scoring position with two outs. Unfortunately, the comeback attempt fell just a tad too short, as the following Trojans batter was struck out to retire the side and end the contest.
McDonald surrendered two runs on three hits over four innings on the mound, striking out four. Miller threw three innings in relief out of the bullpen, striking out five while allowing no hits and no earned runs.
Saturday's home game against Lawrence County followed a similar script, with the Trojans falling behind early and battling back late in the evening, only to fall short by one run. This time around, however, both offenses found their rhythm and dominated en route to the 12-11 finish.
Trailing 7-0 entering the bottom of the third, the Trojans made a run of their own to close the gap. Singles hit by Green and Daniel Stringer brought in three runs during the inning, and three errors and two walks allowed them to tack on four more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Each time West Marion began closing in on the lead, however, Jerkins said defensive miscues just set them back even further.
Following a pitching change in the top of the fifth, Lawrence County's bats began heating up again. With two outs recorded, the Cougars rallied for five more runs, creating a 12-7 advantage. Down but not out, the Trojans fought back with three more runs in the bottom of the fifth, thanks in large part to a line drive to left field by Kolby Stringer that brought in two runs and put him in position to score later in the inning on a fielder's choice.
In the top of the seventh, Green blasted a solo home run over the right field wall to bring the score to 12-11, but again, the Trojans were unable to finish the comeback. With the tying run on second, McDonald hit a line drive to centerfield that was caught for the third and final out, handing West Marion its sixth consecutive loss.
Carney got the start on the hill and pitched three innings for the Trojans, striking out two and allowing seven runs — three earned — on five hits. Buffalo and Stringer pitched four innings of in relief, combining for 11 strikeouts while allowing five runs on two hits.
The Trojans traveled to Jones Junior College on Tuesday for a contest against Wayne County, but results were unavailable at press time. On Friday they'll be back on the road for a contest against Brookhaven Academy, followed by a trip to Pearl River Community College on Saturday to take on Greene County.
