Lady Wildcats hand Centralia first loss

MARION - Ivy Smart ripped a two-run single in the fifth inning to lift the Marion High School softball team to a 4-2 win over previously-unbeaten Centralia in a South Seven Conference game Thursday at the Crisp Sports Complex.

Marion improved to 11-1 overall and 2-0 in the South Seven, while Centralia dropped to 9-1 and 1-1.

"This was big not only for a potential conference title, but we could also see them in regionals," said Marion coach Joy Neal. "They took away our three-year undefeated conference streak last year, so we were playing with a chip on our shoulder."

Smart was the winning pitcher with three strikeouts. She gave up a run in the first inning after plunking the game's first batter, Jazmyne Myers, and giving up a double to Brylee Dukes. But the Marion defense turned a double play to escape the threat.

Abbi Sherrard singled and Heaven Lawrence bunted but reached on an error to start the third inning against Centralia hurler Raegan Branon, who has committed to Bradley. After Keira Hance was hit with a pitch, Sherrard and Lawrence both scored on a double by Hannah Nalley to tie the game.

Centralia was kept off the board by another double play from Marion's infield in the fourth inning, but the Annies tied it in the fifth before the Lady Wildcats went ahead to stay in the bottom half.

Hance started the rally with a single, then Nalley also reached with another single before Smart blooped a two-out hit to right field for the decisive runs.

"She was able to connect just enough to put a yard dart behind first base," Neal said. "With two people on and two outs, we were gunning for it and it worked out in our favor."

Branon had eight strikeouts, including four of the first five batters, but took the loss.

"She's pretty good and has a good changeup," Neal said. "We just kept saying in the dugout to make adjustments."

Marion returns to South Seven Conference play Tuesday at home against Carbondale.