By James Howell, Jr. / For The Daily Reporter
FORTVILLE — The cold weather didn’t stop the New Palestine Dragons and the Mt. Vernon Marauders from hitting the diamond in their first of two Hoosier Heritage Conference games this week.
After being delayed from Tuesday night, the game finally took place between the two cross-county rivals with the Marauders (8-3, 4-1 HHC)) coming away with the win, 9-5.
The Dragons (4-5, 3-2 HHC) drew first blood in the game with a run in the top of the first and another in the top of the second.
Thanks to superb pitching from Maddox Manes and excellent fielding behind him by the Dragons, it wasn’t until the bottom of the third that the Marauders would put their first hit on the scoreboard.
The hit came off the bat of senior standout Hunter Dobbins, who finished 1-for-3.
His double gave the Marauders some life, and Landon Clark’s steal attempt at second base during the frame was enough distraction for the young Dragons to miss a run coming across the plate from third to finally get the Marauders on the board.
Mt. Vernon senior Joel Walton (2-for-4 with a double) followed Dobbins double with a single of his own that drove in the tying and lead-changing runs in the third.
In the top of the fifth, the Dragons clawed back into the game when a Marauders’ pick-off attempt went awry and let a run come across the plate.
In the top of the sixth, the Dragons used a Blaine Nunnally (1-for-2) single to tie the game and then retook the lead on a balk.
The Marauders, facing a late deficit, turned it on offensively. After giving up two outs to lead off the inning, the Marauders came alive.
An error in right field by the Dragons gave the Marauders the lead back in the bottom of the sixth. Facing a full count, senior Jake Stank (1-for-3) put two insurance runs across the board with his double. Mt. Vernon connected for four doubles.
Down 9-5, the Dragons went down quickly in the top of the seventh, sending them one game under .500 on the season.
Dragons head coach Shawn Lyons remarked that while disappointed in the loss, he is proud of his young team’s effort.
“I don’t like the loss, but that is a really good Mt. Vernon team, and it did our team well to see that we can play against really good teams,” Lyons said. “We are young and we had guys without much varsity experience at all make some big plays today. I’m excited to get our guys back out there tomorrow with the knowledge that we can hang with Mount Vernon.”
Carter Stogsdill (2-for-3) and Zayden Stiller (2-for-4) each had two hits to lead the Dragons. Manes pitched 5.0 innings, giving up four hits and four earned runs while walking six and striking out three.
For the Marauders, head coach Brad King says that his team continued to show something they had before this season.
“This is a team full of guys that don’t quit,” King said. “Time and time again this season we have been in tough situations and the guys find a way. We are happy with the win, but just so proud of the never give up attitude with these guys.”
Mt. Vernon had six players with a hit, but Walton was the lone Marauder with multiple hits.
Eli Clotfelter threw 109 pitches over six innings Thursday night. He struck out six, while giving up five hits, five walks and four earned runs. He went 1-for-1 at the plate with two RBI and a double.
The Dragons will take their turn as host tonight with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m.
