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Wildcats roll to wins over Carbondale, Cahokia in baseball

MARION - Following a heartbreaking road loss in another state, the Marion High School baseball team had more important matters Tuesday with a South Seven Conference home game against rival Carbondale.

The Wildcats not only took care of business but romped to a 10-0 five-inning win over the Terriers at the Crisp Sports Complex to become 10-3 overall and 3-1 in the South Seven.

Carbondale owns a win over Mt. Vernon - the team that beat Marion to open conference play - but is now 7-5 and also 3-1.

Cavan Cameron pitched all five frames and gave up just two hits with seven strikeouts for the Wildcats, who were coming off a nine-inning walk off loss at Sikeston.

"This is the exact formula we need to be successful," said Marion coach Marty Manfredo. "Cavan was on his game. He only walked one batter and our defense was flawless behind him. I was very proud of our effort and focus tonight."

Leadoff man Austin Palmer was the offensive star with two hits, including a three-run double in the third inning, and a single in the fifth that led to the 10th run for a walk off victory.

Palmer's run was actually the ninth. Drake Gravatt doubled to bring him in, then Gravatt scored the final run after Josh Griffin walked and Jake Welch reached on Carbondale's sixth error of the game.

Welch also had an RBI groundout in the first inning, when Cameron and battery mate Ryan Trokey both picked up hits. Noah Mofield had an RBI single and scored on Palmer's bases-clearing hit in the third.

Then on Wednesday, the Wildcats hosted Cahokia in a quick schedule change and rolled to five-inning wins of 21-4 and 10-0 in a doubleheader to put the overall record at 12-3 and move the

South Seven record to 5-1.

In the opener, Griffin had a monster game that included a grand slam after alreadying hitting an RBI triple and a double. He was also hit by a pitch with the bases load, giving him six RBIs for the game.

Trevor Jackson also hit a two-run double for the Wildcats in the rout.

In the second game, D.J. Tucker was the winning pitcher with five strikeouts and also hit a two-run double. Gravatt, Mofield, Tyler Cline and Lukas Shrum all had two hits, with Shrum and Cline also collecting multiple RBIs.

Marion is scheduled to play at Collinsville on Saturday and host Goreville on Monday.

Marion's Cavan Cameron shakes hands after tossing a two-hit shutout with seven strikeouts against Carbondale. Justin Walker photo
Marion's Parker Holland steps on first base safely in Wednesday's first game against Cahokia. Justin Walker photo