Patriots go to 20-2 on season

Marshall Academy tuned up for the post-season with a pair of dominant wins over non-district foes last week.

The Patriots drilled Myrtle 12-0 on Monday, April 5, and then blasted St. George’s of Memphis, Tenn., 15-2 on Friday. They had 20 hits in the two games combined.

“The biggest thing right now is keeping them focused and keeping them driven,” coach Bruce Branch said.

“That’s my job to an extent, but they have to do their part, too. They have to challenge themselves every day to be the best they can be when they step on the field.”

The Patriots improved to 20-2 overall and will wrap up the regular season this week with a three-game series versus North Delta. They entered that series with a 6-0 district mark.

The state playoffs start next week with the Patriots, District 1-3A champions, facing the fourth-place team from District 2-3A in a best two-of-three series.

The MA bats were scorching in the team’s two wins last week.

The Patriots piled up nine hits in the four-inning shutout of Myrtle at home.

Landon Houston connected for two triples, and he drove in two runs. Rusty Bolden had two doubles and two RBIs. Jordan Bonds had two hits, and he drove in three runs. Colton Atherton had two hits and two RBIs.

Marshall took command early, going up 3-0 in the bottom of the first and then adding five more in the bottom of the second.

MA scored one in the bottom of the third and then ended the game by the run rule with three in the fourth.

Hunter Peeks threw the four innings for the mound victory. He struck out one, walked none and gave up only three hits to the Hawks.

Houston highlighted the hitting show in the Patriots’ rout of St. George’s Thursday on the home diamond. He launched two home runs and had six RBIs.

Bolden also homered, plus he doubled and singled, and drove in four runs.

The Patriots racked up 11 hits in the 13-run win. Jackson Graves had a pair of RBIs. Atherton had a double and drove in a run.

“We had some good practice time last week,” Branch said. “Offensively, we had not been swinging the bats quite as well as we were early in the season. We hadn’t been able to get enough reps on the field like we got early in the year.

“But we came out Thursday focused on swinging the bats well and maximizing our cuts. Hopefully, this will help us get over the hump.”

The Gryphons took a brief 1-0 lead in the top of the first.

Marshall answered with four in the bottom of the first and then eight in the second to pretty much ice the victory.

The Patriots had five stolen bases, three of those by Bolden.

Coach Branch used four pitchers. Houston threw one inning. He walked two and gave up one hit.

Jamie Graves pitched an inning and struck out the side. Walker Sanders threw part of an inning before exiting with an injury.

Bolden finished the game from the mound. In three innings of work, he struck out six and gave up three hits.

The Patriots were scheduled to host North Delta on Tuesday of this week for a doubleheader. They wrap up the regular season by visiting North Delta Thursday at 6 p.m.