MA perfect in district; playoffs next

A 24-2 regular season is in the books for the Marshall Academy baseball team. Next up is a quest for the ultimate prize.

The Patriots, who went unbeaten in District 1-3A play, starts the state playoffs this week with a best-of-three series versus Indianola Academy. The Colonels are the number four seed from District 2.

Coach Bruce Branch said his team, ranked number one in Class 3A, knows it enters the post-season with a target on its back.

“When you’re 24-2, everybody wants a piece of you,” he said. “Our guys have to accept that role. They’ve done it to themselves — in a good way, of course. “We have to embrace the role, and do the things we are supposed to do to win games. From here on out, you have to win or go home.

“From an energy standpoint, I don’t have to get them ready to play. They’ll show up when it matters. I feel confident in that.”

MA had no trouble wrapping up its district slate with three wins over North Delta, outscoring the Green Wave 381.

On Tuesday, April 13, at home, Coach Branch’s squad swept a doubleheader.

Game one lasted just four innings as the Pats scorched North Delta 12-0.

Marshall’s big inning was the third when it scored eight runs. Jordan Bonds lit the fire with a solo home run over the right-field fence. He went to the plate again in the same inning and his line drive to centerfield scored two more runs.

Rusty Bolden and Hunter Peeks each had a pair of RBIs in the victory. Jack Whaley Smith connected for a double. Bolden also swiped a couple of bases.

Bonds also had a strong afternoon on the mound. In four innings of work, the lefty struck out six, walked one and gave up only one hit.

In game two, the Patriots scored six runs in the bottom of the first and went on to rout North Delta 11-1 in four and a half innings.

Landon Houston doubled and drove in a run, Colton Neal tripled for two RBIs, and Devin Sanders singled for an RBI.

Jamie Graves knocked in a couple runs in the bottom of the second with a single.

Colton Atherton launched a two-run homer in the third.

Peeks started on the mound and got the win. In three innings, he struck out six, walked none and gave up one hit. He was relieved by Atherton, who pitched two innings. He struck out four, walked none and gave up two hits.

North Delta hosted Marshall in Batesville for game three and it was over in just three innings, a 15-0 win for the Pats.

Bolden tossed a no-hitter. He struck out six and walked one.

The Patriots, who finished 9-0 in district play, scored five runs in the top of the first and pushed across 10 in the second. They had 11 hits.

Leading the way was Atherton with three hits, including a double, and an RBI. Bolden had a double and three RBIs.

Seven other Patriots had a hit each.

Marshall-MHEA

On Saturday, the Graves twins, Jamie and Jackson, combined for a two-hitter as Marshall pounded MemphisArea Home Education 16-0.

The game was played at Gagliano Field in Memphis.

Jamie Graves started and tossed two innings. He struck out three and gave up a hit. Jackson Graves also threw two innings — striking out one and giving up one hit. Neither walked a batter.

From the batter’s box, Neal had a big day with two hits, including a double, and four RBIs.

Atherton had two hits, one of those a double, and two RBIs. Bolden also had two hits. Walker Sanders and D. Sanders each drove in a pair of runs.

MA had nine hits in the blowout win. MHEA committed seven errors.

Marshall scored four in the first, six in the second and six in the fourth.

The Patriots opened the playoff series against Indianola on the road Tuesday of this week. They host the Colonels Thursday at 5 for game two, with game three following, if needed.

Coach Branch said playoff success depends on things like timely hitting, solid defense and throwing strikes.

“At playoff time, those are usually the things that matter most,” he said. “We have to limit the walks; the defense has to play well; and we can’t leave runners stranded. We have to get the timely hits.”

If MA takes the series versus Indianola, it will meet the winner of the Carroll Academy versus Lee Academy series in round two next week.

Marshall is seeking the school’s first-ever state championship in baseball.