Patriots fall in state’s final eight

A Marshall Academy rally try in game one fell short and a three-run lead slipped away in the final inning of game two.

The Patriots dropped two straight to Winona Christian in the quarter-final round of the Class AA state playoffs last week. Marshall finishes the season with a 13-9 record.

“Obviously, we were good enough to beat them,” coach Jon Mungle said, “but in the playoffs you have to play mistake-free baseball. We had too many mistakes against a good team.”

At Winona on Tuesday, May 2, the Pats came up one run short, 4-3.

MA trailed 4-0 after three innings but pushed three runs across in the top of the fourth to get well within striking distance down the stretch.

But neither team scored the rest of the way.

The MA offense had its struggles. Wil Summerlin had a double and two runs-batted-in. Tyler Bolden and Ethan Hilton each went one for three from the plate with a run scored. Wesley Bolden was one for two.

Peyton Taylor pitched the complete game and took the loss. In six innings of work, he struck out four, walked one and gave up six hits. Only one of the Stars’ four runs was earned.

The Patriots appeared to be in command in game two of the series in Holly Springs  Friday. But Winona rallied in the top of the seventh for a stunning 10-6 win.

“I thought we played well and put ourselves in a position to win it, but we kind of folded at the end,” Mungle said. “We started to feel the pressure.”

MA built a 5-1 lead after four innings and led 6-3 following six complete.

The Stars scored seven runs in their half of the last inning to go up by four, and the Patriots could not put together their own rally in the bottom of the seventh.

MA committed seven errors in the game, three of those in the top of the seventh. Winona made two errors in the contest.

Each team had 10 hits.

Leading the offense for the Pats was Ryan Brock, who went three for three with two runs scored and three doubles. W. Bolden was three for four with one RBI. T. Bolden added two hits with two runs scored. Getting one hit and one RBI each were Wyle McMillen and Summerlin.

Zane Looney took the loss on the mound. Only two of the Stars’ 10 runs were earned.

“I think Winona knows we deserved to be there as much as they did,” Mungle said. “We had our chances.”

He said he is proud of his Patriots for their hard work.

“We played a tough schedule and got beat by some good teams,” Mungle said. “Regardless of a win or loss, if you leave feeling good, that’s how I judge things. Most days, I left the field feeling good.”

He loses five seniors – Boyce McKinney, Summerlin, W. Bolden, Taylor and Jacob Gadd.

“Losing those five will hurt us,” Mungle said. “I appreciate their leadership this season.”

Zane Looney pitches Friday in game two of the series.