North Marion withstands La Salle comeback, clinches season series
AURORA - After North Marion held a small lead for most of the game, La Salle tied things up in the sixth inning after the Falcons plated a pair of runs. However, the Huskies maintained their composure and scored a run in the home-half of the sixth and retired La Salle in order in the seventh as North Marion went on to defeat the Falcons 4-3 on Wednesday evening.
With the win, the Huskies (8-5, 4-0) snatch the season series from La Salle (9-5, 2-2) and will look to complete the sweep when the two teams meet up again at La Salle on May 2nd.
North Marion used two hits in the first inning to get on the board quickly. With Brock Breshears on second after reaching on a walk, Kyle Williamson placed a ball perfectly down the left field line to leg out a double and score the Huskies' first run. Williamson would come around to score after a little help from a La Salle error.
The Falcons split the Huskies two-run lead in half with one run off of three hits in the second inning.
North Marion restored their two-run lead with a single tally in the third inning. Williamson - who reached on a single - came around to score another run, again on a Falcon miscue.
La Salle made things interesting in the sixth as they plated a pair of runs to tie the score at three.
The Huskies - poised and ready to regain their lead - went to work in the sixth inning. Shane McKillip led off the inning by drawing a hit by pitch. Breshears hit a ground ball which appeared would get McKillip forced out at second, but La Salle's third error of the day kept everyone safe. Kyle Williamson came up big again, recording his third hit of the day and bringing in McKillip to stake out a one-run lead for North Marion. The Huskies had opportunities to score in the rest of the inning, but a momentum-building double play by La Salle ended the threat.
With all the momentum in their hands, La Salle stepped up to bat in the seventh, needing a run to tie. However, Wyatt Moore calmly retired all three Falcons in order, the last two on strikeouts. Moore finished the day with six total strikeouts while walking just one, paving the way to his second win of the season.
Kyle Williamson went three-for-four on the day for the Huskies along with two RBIs and three stolen bases. Tristan Wampole reached base all four times for North Marion on one hit and three walks.
La Salle outhit North Marion 9-5 in the contest, but the Falcons' three errors proved too much to overcome. The strike zone was fairly hazy all day long, as pitchers on either side were forced to deal with a very inconsistent target. But the questionable calls went both ways as North Marion prevailed.
After the 4-0 start to league, North Marion will play host to the 3A Glide Wildcats on Friday in a non-conference matchup. The Wildcats are currently ranked fourth in the OSAA RPI with lopsided victories over various 2A, 3A, and 4A opponents.