West Marion came into the season among the favorites to win the Class 3A championship, ranked No. 3 by Capital Sports, and through six games the Trojans have proven they were deserving of the preseason hype.
With three dominant senior arms leading the way, the Trojans (5-1) have a collective ERA of 1.40 with 65 strikeouts in 40 innings pitched and have shown power (seven extra-base hits, three home runs) and speed (28 stolen bases) on offense.
West Marion did lose their first game of the year March 4, though, against one of the top teams in the state. In a pitcher’s duel, Sumrall (9-1) outlasted the Trojans 2-1 with both teams notching just three hits. A pair of errors cost Jayden Duncan a shutout as the flamethrower struck out 13 batters in six innings while allowing just three hits and walking two. Duncan drove in West Marion’s lone run with a single, and Miles Maliden and Josh Boone both singled.
The Trojans got back to their winning ways Friday against East Central, a Class 5A school, beating the Hornets 4-1 at home. Boone and Miller both drove in runs with singles, and the Trojans drew six walks at the dish. Maliden had the best pitching performance of his prep career, fanning 12 batters and allowing just one run while scattering five hits and three walks.
The senior trio Duncan, Boone and Maliden has been nothing short of dominant both at the plate and on the mound. Duncan has driven in a team-best eight runs with a homer and a .316 average offensively while striking out 31 batters and allowing just one earned run in 15 innings pitched. Boone sports a team-leading .450 average with a homer and a triple and has struck out 13 in 7 1/3 shutout innings. With three doubles in six games and a .438 average, Maliden is enjoying a breakout season that also includes striking out 17 in 11 innings pitched and allowing just two runs.
West Marion played host to Richland Tuesday, but results were unavailable at press time. The Trojans will return to the diamond Friday at home when Wesson comes to town.
