The West Marion Trojans (10-3, 1-0) are inching into the meat of their schedule with some big games on the horizon but are focusing on what’s immediately in front of them.
The Trojans handled business March 13 in their district opener at Tylertown, racing out to an 8-0 lead after the first inning and cruising the rest of the way for a four-inning 13-0 victory.
“When you put up an eight-spot then Jayden (Duncan) goes out and gets a 1-2-3 inning, all the air went out of Tylertown,” head coach Derrick Jerkins said. “I wouldn’t say it became easy from there, but it was not as difficult. Any time you put up a crooked number in the first inning you set a tone.”
Randy Ramos powered the West Marion offense with a perfect 3-for-3 day at the dish with 2 RBI. Trace McNabb ripped two singles, Duncan drove in three runs and Josh Boone and Bradley Stringer each had an RBI. Duncan was near perfect on the mound, allowing just two hits while striking out four in four scoreless frames.
The following night in McComb the Trojans found themselves in a dog fight with Parklane Academy, but the Pioneers broke through with a six-run sixth inning to top West Marion 8-3.
“They took a 3-2 lead on us going into the sixth, then we made an error or two, they got a hit and the wheels kind of came off. The big blow was they hit a three-run homer off of (McNabb), but he threw well,” Jerkins said. “He had pitched the previous Friday night against them for three innings, so that was the ninth inning they had seen him. They got on him a little bit. That’s a team that can swing it and have four college guys already signed.”
McNabb lasted 5 1/3 innings, allowing six earned runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out five. However, the Trojans managed just three hits, including a solo shot by Shelby Terrell.
“(Trace) kept us in it and gave us a chance to win the game. We got some guys in scoring position against their pitcher with two outs and just couldn’t come up with a big hit,” Jerkins said. “Their pitcher, Jonathan Allen, signed in the fall to pitch at the University of New Orleans. He’s a good arm. Shelby Terrell hit a home run off him, and we hit the ball well, but it was right at them.”
West Marion was scheduled to host Tylertown in a rematch Friday night, but it was rained out and hasn’t been rescheduled yet. The Trojans hosted Wesson Tuesday night (results unavailable) and will play the Cobras again Friday night on the road at 6:30.
Jerkins said it’s very important to get off to a good start in district play with Seminary and Columbia looming around the corner on the schedule.
“Wesson is 0-10, but they’re not that bad. You’d think they would be really bad, but they’re not. They’re going to be hungry for a win. If we can get some crooked numbers early like we did against Tylertown and get some momentum going that would be really important,” he said. “It would be great to get a sweep this week with Wesson with us playing Seminary next week.”
Seminary ousted West Marion in the South State Championship Series last season, and Columbia is off to a 9-2 start, setting up a three-way fight for the district title. The Trojans will play Seminary March 27 and March 29 and the Wildcats April 3 and April 4.
Pictured Above: West Marion second baseman Trace McNabb attempts to tage a base stealer. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
