Patriots split with Cougars

Each team got a three-run win in a doubleheader Satur­day at Patriot Field.

Marshall Academy welcomed North Daviess (Ind.) to Holly Springs and split with the Cougars, who were on a long road trip during their spring break.

The Patriots dropped the first game 3-0 and then bounced back to win the second 10-7 on Wyle McMillen’s walk-off, three-run homer.

“This team is sort of Jekyll and Hyde,” said Jon Mungle, talking about the difference in his team’s play in the two games. “We hadn’t played in a week, but I saw a lot of good things.

“We scored 10 in the second game. We tend to feed off each other. Hitting is contagious. We got on track in the second game.”

MA actually outhit North Daviess in the first game of the day – five to four – but left six base-runners stranded. Plus, the Patriots committed four errors on defense.

Tyler Bolden was the bright spot. He was three for three from the plate.

McMillen and Walker Sanders added one hit each.

The Cougars scored one in the third, one in the fourth and one in sixth.

Two of the Patriots’ hits came in the bottom of the fifth but they left two on  base.

MA threatened in the sixth but not in the seventh.

Game two

Mungle’s team fell behind 3-0 in the second contest of the day.

Marshall picked up a run in the bottom of the second on Cade Crouch’s bunt single and a North Daviess throwing error.

The Cougars opened the fifth with three straight hits, but scored just one additional run, and left the bases loaded.

The Patriots trailed 4-1.

Then they sent nine batters to the plate in the bottom of the fifth. Bolden, Ben Shaw, Brandon Daughtry and McMillen each had a hit apiece as  the Patriots took the lead, 5-4.

That advantage didn’t last long as North Daviess responded in the top of the sixth with three runs to go back ahead 7-5.

MA had one chance to rally, in the bottom of the sixth, as a time limit was in place for the nightcap.

And the Patriots did just that.

With one out, Tanner Taylor singled. Then with two outs, Shaw drilled a two-run home run over the left-field fence to knot the game at 7. Brandon Daughtry and Zane Looney earned walks. Then McMillen delivered the game-winner, a home run to left-center field for the 10-7 victory celebration.

Shaw and McMillen were each two for four in game two of the doubleheader.

Marshall had nine hits and North Daviess eight.

Brandon Daughtry, who threw in relief, picked up the mound win for MA.

The Patriots (4-9) were scheduled to host District 1-AA foe Central Holmes on Tuesday of this week. They will then travel to Central Holmes Friday for a 4 p.m. start. This Saturday, the Patriots will host Hickory Flat at 11 a.m. and Pine Grove at 4 p.m. Next Tuesday, April 10, they go to Carroll Academy for a 4 p.m. start in district action.