Upland, Ind. – Behind a strong pitching performance from Seth Hogg and a 10-run game, the Marian baseball team staved off elimination as they defeated Mt. Vernon Nazarene 10-6 in the Crossroads League Tournament. Marian’s win advances them to Saturday, with the record improving to 24-26.
Pitching headlined the first two innings of the game, as both teams were held hitless until the third inning. Jarin Bertke allowed two Knights to reach on walks but neither free pass would advance beyond third base, while Seth Hogg recorded a perfect first inning, striking out the side in the second to strand a walk and error that allowed a pair of Cougars to reach.
In the third inning Dawson Estep ignited the offenses, doubling to center field for the game’s first hit. Caden Mason was hit by a pitch and Josh Lamb poked a single through the right side to load the bases, setting up Kameron Salazar who roped a two RBI single to center. With a 2-0 lead, Marian got a hitless inning from Hogg to close the third, and in the fourth inning doubled their lead as Johnny Roeder hammered a two-run home run. Mount Vernon would get a run back in the bottom of the fourth as the freshman pitcher for Marian gave up a solo homerun, but limited the damage to one as Marian led 4-1 after four complete.
The Knights wasted no time getting the run back, driving home two scores in the top of the fifth inning. A pair of base hits opened the frame and moved a runner into scoring position for Pierson Barnes, who was able to deliver a sacrifice fly and score the team’s fifth run. Bryce Davenport followed with an RBI single of his own, pushing Marian in front 6-1. The score would hold until the bottom of the sixth inning, as Hogg was able to pitch a perfect fifth. In the bottom of the sixth the freshman allowed a pair of singles, but got a double play from his defense, cutting what could have been a two-run frame to one, as a final fly out would keep the Knights in control 6-2.
The game broke open for Marian in the seventh inning, as the Knights brought home four runs to expand their lead to eight. Davenport recorded an RBI single, and after a pitching change Barnes scored an unearned run. Dawson Estep and Caden Mason would record back-to-back RBI singles to complete the inning’s fireworks, giving Marian a 10-2 lead.
The score would hold until the bottom of the eighth inning, as Hogg was unable to follow his scoreless seventh frame into the penultimate inning. The freshman was roughed for four runs, giving up four hits before exiting the game in favor of Jayson Cottrell. With two outs, Cottrell would allow a double that brought the score within four, but held strong with a strikeout stranding two runners. In the ninth the third-year reliever gave up a lead-off single, but got the help from his defense as the final three batters were retired, closing out Marian’s 10-6 win.
The Knights had 12 hits in their win as their postseason offense returned to form, picking up nine RBI. Davenport had two hits and two RBI in the win, while Rylan Huntley, Dawson Estep, and Josh Lamb each had two-hit games. Davenport also drew two of the team’s six walks, with the senior reaching safely four times. Salazar and Roeder each had two RBI.
On the mound, Hogg dominated through seven innings before fatigue settled in the eighth inning, lasting 7.2 innings as he moved to 5-4 on the year. The freshman gave up six runs and eight hits, striking out six batters. Cottrell picked up the final four outs, allowing two hits with one strikeout.
Marian will advance to another elimination game on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.