MORAN — It has been a long season for the Marmaton Valley baseball program as they attempt to build a foundation for the future.
On Monday, the record for the Wildcats took another hit and dropped to 0-10 on the season. Northeast Arma swept them by scores of 15-0 and 21-4.
In game one, Keagan Boyd was the only Wildcat that was able to come up with a hit at the plate. The center fielder was 2-for-2 with a pair of singles.
Lead-off man Jake Kress was the only other Wildcat to reach base. He drew two walks.
Northeast’s offense gathered more and more momentum as the game went on. They scored two runs in the first inning, six in the second and ended the game with seven in the third. The game was called after three innings due to the run-rule.
“We couldn’t really do anything with them,” Marmaton Valley coach Derek Scharff said. “We weren’t pitching well… We didn’t really hit the ball well. We didn’t watch pitches very well to get people on base.”
The Vikings continued their offensive momentum in game two, scoring six in the first inning.
Kress started game two on the mound and was in the tough spot of having to pitch a complete-game no matter what because the Wildcats had to use up their bullpen in game one.
Kress settled in as the game went on and allowed only three runs in the second, two in the third, one in the fourth and one in the fifth.
Marmaton Valley scored its first runs of the game when they scored three runs in the third. They also added one more in the fifth inning.
“We watched pitches better,” Scharff said. “We drew some walks and got some guys on base. We got some guys hitting the ball a little bit better.”
Mike Beggs and Korbin Smith were the top offensive performers for Marmaton Valley. They each finished 2-for-2. Gage Adams and Kress each had a pair of hits, too, each going 2-for-4.
In the sixth inning, Kress wore down on the mound and Northeast took advantage, scoring eight runs. The game was called at 21-4 after six innings.
Even though it is not showing up on the scoreboard, Scharff likes the way his group has been improving. However, he is quick to point out that they still have plenty of room to improve.
“Our defense has to improve,” Scharff said. “We’ve got some guys finally pitching a little bit better, but we got to field the ball. Just make the routine plays that we haven’t been making.”
PUGH EJECTED
Justice Pugh was ejected late in game one for running into a fielder. He will have to miss the Wildcats next game.
