Article by Steven Hendrixson, MHS student writer
On Saturday the Cubs faced off against Casey-Westfield. Marshall had high hopes coming into the post season. Fresh off a 12-0 regular season, the Cubs come into the game as the #1 seed. The Cubs hoped to make noise this postseason, proving no match for surrounding schools in the East-central Illinois area; looking like a true contender for the state championship.
Casey came into the regional with a 9-6 record after coming off a 10-2 win against Lawrenceville Parkview.
The Braves struck first in the top of the first inning when a Casey Batter drew a bases-loaded walk, bringing home Kruze J to give the Braves an early 1-0 lead.
The Cubs answered in the bottom half of the inning. Augy Schneider scored on a double by Colby Claypool, tying the game at 1-1. Kole Nickles then grounded out, allowing Claypool to score and give Marshall a 2-1 advantage early in the game.
The Braves tied the game in the top of the third when Bryce D singled on a fly ball to center field, allowing Ben W to score. The Cubs quickly regained the lead in the bottom of the inning when Colby Claypool hit an inside-the-park home run, putting the Cubs ahead 3-2.
Marshall added another run later in the inning when Kole Nickles scored after reaching third on a wild pitch and coming home on a balk. Cooper Bayes then struck out to end the inning, with the Cubs leading 4-2.
The Braves took control in the fourth inning, scoring four runs to move ahead 6-4. Gage G doubled to drive in Miles L and Kruze J, while Casen E later walked with the bases loaded to bring home Brycen V.
The Braves continued their scoring with a two-run single from Nolan W, which scored Bryce D and Gage G. Miles L then reached on an error, allowing Casen E to score and extending the Braves' lead to 9-4.
In the top of the fifth, the Braves added another run when Kruze J scored on a passed ball, making it 10-4.
Marshall responded in the bottom of the fifth when Kole Nickles tripled to left field, scoring Colby Claypool and cutting the deficit to 10-5.
The Braves added two more runs in the sixth. Peyton E flew out to center field, allowing Miles L to score after tagging up, and Jaxson W later reached on an error that allowed Kruze J to score. The Braves led 12-5 heading into the bottom of the sixth.
The Cubs continued to fight in the bottom of the seventh. Kale Platt tripled on a fly ball to center field, scoring Augy Schneider and Colby Claypool. Brody Pugh followed with a single to center field, bringing Platt home and cutting the Braves' lead to 12-8.
Despite the late rally, the Cubs could not complete the comeback, and the Braves held on for a 12-8 victory.
The Cubs showed offensive resilience throughout the game, including an inside-the-park home run from Claypool and a late seventh-inning rally.
The Cubs played very well, and were almost neck and neck in every major statistical category. But the thing that ultimately decided the game were walks, Casey had 14 total walks for the game compared to Marshall’s 2.
The Lions end their impressive season with a 12-1 record.