MA Patriots sweep Kirk

Forty-one runs on 40 hits in a three-game series is basically unheard of, at any level of baseball.

That is just what Marshall Academy did in a huge three-game sweep of District 1-4A rival Kirk Academy last week.

“It was quite the showing,” coach Bruce Branch said. “We were all looking forward to the challenge of facing a very good Kirk team, and our kids responded well.”

The Patriots had 17 hits in game one, 14 in game two and nine in game three.

“Offensively, from top to bottom, we swung the bats well,” Branch said.

The sweep of the Raiders puts MA firmly in the driver’s seat for back-to-back district crowns. At 11-1 in the district, they face Rossville Christian Academy (Tenn.) in a threegame series this week.

“This group is driven,” Branch said. “They’re giving me what I expect.”

Game 1

The MA offense proved to be relentless in a 17-10 game one win over Kirk Monday, April 4, at home.

The Patriots fell behind 3-0 in the top of the first and quickly responded by scoring four in the bottom. They never trailed again. The Raiders trimmed their deficit to 11-10 with a six-run fourth. MA answered with five runs in the bottom of the inning to go up 16-10 and then scored one more in the sixth.

Rusty Bolden, Jordan Bonds, Jack Smith and Walker Sanders led the hit parade. Bolden had four hits and three runs batted-in; Bonds three doubles and four RBIs; Smith three hits, including two doubles, and three RBIs; and Sanders three hits, including a double and a triple, and two RBIs.

Landon Houston added two hits, including a double, and he drove in three runs. Getting one hit each were Colton Atherton and Colton Neal.

Jackson Graves started on the mound and got the win. He struck out three, walked five and gave up five hits. Tucker Chumney and Bolden tossed in relief. Bolden closed the deal, striking out five, walking three and giving up three hits in three and two-thirds innings.

Game 2

The bats stayed on fire in game two, plus Sanders turned in a strong showing from the mound, as Marshall won 15-3 at home April 4.

With the game knotted at 2, the Patriots tallied eight runs in the bottom of the third and then five more in the fourth to end the game early by the run rule.

Bolden carried the hottest of the bats in this one. He connected for three hits, including a double, and drove in two runs.

Getting two hits each were Neal, Smith and Colton Foster. One of Smith’s hits was a double. Foster drove in two runs.

Atherton had a triple and two RBIs, and Houston drilled his eighth home run of the season. Bonds and Sanders also added a hit and RBI apiece, and Jamie Graves had a hit.

Sanders pitched all four innings for the win. He struck out seven, walked three and gave up four hits.

Game 3

Bonds drove in four of MA’s runs as the Patriots visited Grenada Thursday and completed the sweep of Kirk with a 9-3 victory.

The senior had a double and a single to lead the offensive attack.

Atherton had a pair of doubles and two RBIs. Bolden had a double and single and one RBI. Neal added two hits and Jamie Graves one hit.

“Colton (Atherton) and Rusty (Bolden) are our table setters, one and two in the lineup, and if they come out hot, everybody follows suit,” Branch said. “The hits in this series just trickled all the way down. Jordan (Bonds) has already exceeded his hits from last year — over 40 RBIs already. He is really swinging a consistent stick.”

Foster, a lefty, got the pitching win in game three. In five and two-thirds innings, he struck out seven, walked three and gave up seven hits. Atherton and Bolden finished things off, giving up no hits.

MA led 9-0 before the Raiders scored three in the bottom of the sixth.

The Marshall defense was also solid in the three-game series — committing just three errors.

The Patriots (21-4 overall) were scheduled to host Lake Cormorant Monday in a nondistrict contest and then Rossville Tuesday in a district doubleheader. They will travel to Rossville Thursday.

Saturday, MA will go to Magnolia Heights and face Christian Brothers (Tenn.) at 11 a.m. Followed by the host Chiefs.

“That 21-4 record shows the commitment of these players,” Branch said. “No days off — they’re driven.”