PENDLETON — The Mt. Vernon Marauders had been averaging more than 10 runs per game going into the Friday, April 27, doubleheader against Pendleton Heights.
That kind of offense did not show up for the Marauders on Friday, but with pitching and defense they managed to split the Hoosier Heritage Conference showdown, winning the first game, 3-2 but losing the second one, 9-2.
The first game turned out to be a pitchers’ duel, as both teams combined for only nine total hits. Luckily for the Marauders, their ace was able to hold off the Arabians in key spots to secure the victory.
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The Marauders scored two runs in the top of the fourth inning to give themselves a 3-1 lead. Jake Stadler took one for the team, as he was hit by a pitch. Second baseman Matthew Boyle followed that up with a double that drove Stadler in, and Thomas Obergfell drove in Boyle with an RBI single. Those two plays gave the Marauders all the runs they would need as Caleb Rush assumed control.
Rush improved his record to 4-1 on the season, holding Pendleton Heights to two runs on four hits. The biggest play of his night was a line drive that Rush snared that seemed destined for center field with a runner already on second base. The Arabians were able to score one run in that inning, but the catch prevented a potential big inning for Pendleton Heights. After that inning, Rush did not allow a hit.
Game 2 seemed to be going similarly to the first as the teams went scoreless in the first two innings.
However, a strange delay may have affected the Marauders, as a foul ball broke a light and showered glass down on the Arabians dug out. A 20-minute delay followed, and the Arabians took a 3-0 lead in the next inning.
The Marauders were able to scrape across one run in the fourth on an RBI double by Dino Tharp, but they also left two runners on base to end the inning and were unable to strike back. Pendleton scored six more runs before the Marauders were able to score again.
The Marauders defeated Guerin Catholic 2-1 at home Monday, April 30. The results brought Mt. Vernon’s record to 8-4 overall (4-3, HHC).