Jayden Duncan capped a shutout performance by striking out the side in the seventh inning Friday night, setting off a wild celebration in Foxworth as West Marion defeated rival Columbia.
The 2-0 win marked the Trojans’ first victory over the Wildcats on the diamond in several years.
They were able to win despite getting no-hit, scraping across two runs in the bottom of the third thanks to several defensive miscues by Columbia. Duncan knocked in West Marion’s first run, scoring Tre’ Broom on a sacrifice fly. Noel Parrett scored later that inning on an error, and it was all Duncan would need.
The sophomore right-hander struck out seven in the complete game, scattering four hits and one walk. He escaped a couple of jams, including facing runners on second and third with two outs in the top of the sixth. But he coaxed a popout into foul territory that he caught himself to end the threat.
Aiden Singley pitched well for Columbia, giving up just two unearned runs in four innings that included three walks and one strikeout. Landon Sanders pitched two scoreless innings in relief for the Wildcats.
Columbia coach Greg Owen got tossed with two outs in the top of the seventh after arguing with umpires following a strikeout call on a 3-2 pitch.
The win puts the Trojans (12-8, 6-2) a game up on Columbia (9-7, 5-3) in the district standings. They split the season series, with the Wildcats winning 2-1 Tuesday in Columbia.
Seminary won Friday to improve to 7-1 in district and plays Columbia next week in another key series.
