By RICHLANDS, Va. – A first-inning outburst on offense and a strong defense propelled Marion to a 5-2 win over Lebanon on Monday and into the finals of the Southwest District softball tournament.
The Scarlet Hurricanes face Richlands, a 7-0 winner over Tazewell, today in what coach George Robinson believes might be the program’s first-ever SWD finals appearance.
Senior slugger Ella Moss, who had three hits in the game, blasted a two-run homer and Jaylin Ferland followed with a solo shot to highlight the four-run first for Marion.
Lebanon answered as leadoff batter Suzanna Barker reached on an error and scored on a base hit by Sadie Amos., while Kaitlyn Morrison’s single plated a run for Lebanon in the bottom of the first.
Both teams missed numerous scoring opportunities in the next three innings. Moss led off the fifth for Marion with a single and scored on a two-out base hit Skylar Pike. Chadyn Musick scored Lebanon’s second run in the bottom of the fifth on a base hit by Chloe Couch.
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The Pioneers’ best chance to get back in the game came in the sixth when they loaded the bases with one out. Marion pitcher Taylor Preston enticed a grounder back to the mound from Lebanon’s Katie Jones and threw out the runner at home.
A pop-up to first ended the inning and Lebanon did not seriously threaten in the seventh.
“That was a huge play,” Robinson said of the grounder back to Preston. “She is a senior and has worked hard and wanted to end her season on a good note.”
The skipper said the ‘Canes had started fast in other games but failed to finish.
“We finished today,” Robinson said.
He added that his club had struggled early but seemed to be peaking at the right time.
Lebanon coach Dennis Price said his squad just could not get the timely hit. The Pioneers, who finished second in the district in the regular season, stranded a dozen base runners in the game.
Richlands had no trouble in the second game as ace Arin Rife had a perfect game through five innings.
Whitney Bowman of Tazewell began the sixth inning by drawing a walk and was the first Tazewell baserunner. Kendyl Taylor reached on an error and Emma Williams beat out a bunt for the only Tazewell hit off Rife.
Freshman Averi Fuller pitched the seventh inning, setting the Bulldogs down in order to polish off the shutout.
Rife drew a one-out walk and scored on a double by Kira Vance, who then scored on a hit by Fuller in the first inning. Rife doubled and scored again in the third and hits by Addy Moore and Irelyn Osborne plated the final four Richlands runs.
The Blue Tornado won the SWD regular-season title and will be attempting to add the tournament championship to their list of accomplishments when it faces Marion. Tazewell, the defending region and state champions, will play on the road in the first round of the Region 2D tournament.
Marion 400 010 0—5 10 2
Lebanon 100 010 0—2 5 1
Preston and J. Ferland. Rasnake, C. Musick (1) and Harris. W – Preston. L – Rasnake. HR – Moss (M), 1st, three on; J. Ferland (M), 1st, none on.
Tazewell 000 000 0—0 1 2
Richlands201 040 x—7 7 0
Sheppard, Lowe (5) and Hayes. Rife, Fuller (7) and Martin. W – Rife. L – Sheppard. HR – none.
