One tough inning spelled defeat for Marshall VFW Orange baseball team in its last regular season game of the summer. Marshall Orange allowed seven runs to Olivia in the bottom of the second inning en route to a 12-4 loss in Olivia Thursday night.
Pitcher Thomas Fischer came in to the second inning with a two-run lead, but was only able to record two outs before Marshall Orange made a move to the bullpen. Fischer allowed eight runs on six hits over 1 2/3 innings pitched.
Matt Thompson relieved Fischer and ended the inning without allowing another run. Thompson, however, would not leave the game unscathed. Olivia struck for one run in the third inning and three in the sixth. In total, Thompson allowed four runs on four hits over his 4 1/3 innings.
Marshall Orange opened up the game with two runs in the first inning, but was unable to truly find a groove at the plate, scattering three hits over seven innings. Orange scored a run in the fifth and one in the seventh, but never found the right combination to start a rally.
Scott Buss led Marshall at the plate, going 1-for-2 and scoring three of the four Marshall runs. Jack Bock also had a run and went 1-for-3. Brad Bahlmann had the other Marshall hit and finished 1-for-4.
Marshall Orange will hope to regain its swing before the opening of playoffs. Single-elimination playoffs begin Monday, as Orange (the seven seed) travels to Slayton.
MO200 010 1-4 3 1
O171 003 X-12 10 2
M-Thomas Fischer, Matt Thompson (2). LP-Fischer.