The Trojans faithful likely needed some medical attention throughout last week as West Marion (13-4, 4-0) took three of the four games it played to the final at-bat, leading to two walk-offs.
The first came against Wesson at home as the Trojans went into the seventh leading 4-3 but gave up two runs in the top half and were forced to fight from behind against a winless opponent to get a win. But they did just as Trace McNabb ripped a walk-off single to secure the W.
“Kind of like we always do we came back in the bottom of the seventh and found a way to pull it out 6-5,” head coach Derrick Jerkins said.
Jerkins knew going into the game Wesson was better than its winless record, but it was the Trojans lack of timely hitting — despite winning with a walk-off hit — that nearly got them beat. They had 11 hits as a team but left 15 runners on base. Jayden Duncan led the offense with a home run, a single and 2 RBI, while Clay Blocker and Brett Jenkins both had two hits. Shelby Terrell had a two-run single and pitched six innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out eight.
Friday night at Wesson was a much different story as McNabb no-hit the Cobras and struck out four through four innings as a 10-run fourth led the Trojans to a 15-0 run-rule shortened win.
“We played probably our best game of the year and swung the bats really well. We just have to get more consistent swinging the bat,” Jerkins said. “I found out Friday night we’re definitely capable of producing a lot of runs and swinging the bat well.”
Duncan launched his third homer of the season and drove in 3 RBI, Terrell went 3-for-3 with 2 RBI, McNabb drove in three runs and Blocker brought home two. Randy Ramos doubled and singled, while Josh Boone and Cyrus Thompson (double) both had RBI base knocks.
Coming off the big win, though, the Trojans had their backs against the wall Saturday morning at home against Richton and this time failed to get the big hit.
“It was the same scenario. They had been winning, and we chipped back with some runners on base and were a hit away from walking that one off as well. I think that was kind of a good thing we didn’t walk off because it served as a learning moment — you’re not going to be able to do that every game against anybody,” Jerkins said.
The Trojans were able to score in the bottom of the seventh but left the tying and winning runs on base in the 4-3 loss. Ramos paced the Trojans with three singles and an RBI, Blocker had two hits and Mason Parrett and Duncan both drove in a run. Brett Jenkins took the loss on the mound, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out three over 3 1/3 innings. Ramos tossed 3 2/3 of one-run ball in relief.
The drama followed the Trojans into the afternoon tilt of their doubleheader Saturday with their 9-3 lead over Poplarville through five innings vanishing in an instant. The Hornets stung West Marion for six runs in the top of the sixth to tie the game, but the Trojans recaptured the lead with two runs in the bottom half.
However, Poplarville’s Kyle Tynes had other plans and launched a three-run shot as part of his 6 RBI day to put the Hornets up 12-11 going into the bottom of the seventh. Blocker, though, has a flare for the dramatic, having already connected for a walk-off hit earlier this season against Perry Central, and he delivered again with a walk-off single to give the Trojans their 13th win of the year, 13-12.
“We got a little complacent and let them come back on us. Pitching depth got a little low on us, but we had some guys that battled and didn’t let it get away from us. They hit a three-run homer on us to tie it 11-11 then took the lead. But we came back in the bottom of the seventh and again found a way to win it,” Jerkins said. “Our kids have been in that spot before. Any time we’re down a run or two and we have an at-bat left, I wouldn’t say I feel confident, but I feel OK about the situation.”
Terrell had another perfect showing at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a homer, a double and 4 RBI. Duncan had four singles, Raynes had three hits and 3 RBI, McNabb had three hits and Ramos had two and drove in a run.
The Trojans embarked on their most trying journey so far this season Tuesday, though, taking on Seminary, who beat West Marion in the South State Championship series last season, at home but results were unavailable. They will play at Seminary Thursday night in a rematch at 6:30.
“Seminary can swing the bat as good as anybody we’ll play,” Jerkins said. “Our pitching has to limit the mistakes, and defensively we have to make plays behind them because (Seminary) is going to put the ball in play. That will be the biggest challenge.”
Pictured Above: West Marion outfielder Jayden Duncan smokes a double March 10 against Perry Central. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
