Photo by Sam Thiel Marshall’s AJ Toulouse follows through on a swing during game one of their doubleheader against Harrisburg (S.D.) on Thursday. Marshall defeated Harrisburg 9-7 in the opener before falling 14-1 in five innings in game two.

MARSHALL — After earning a doubleheader split against Watertown (S.D.) on Tuesday, the Marshall 18U baseball team looked to bounce back against a different South Dakota opponent, this time taking on Harrisburg in another two-game matchup Thursday. Marshall used a hot start before holding off a late rally for a 9-7 game one victory, but Harrisburg flipped the script in the second game, hitting a trio of home runs for a 14-1 win in five innings to force the split.

Marshall coach Chace Pollock said he was pleased with their ability to build a strong lead in the first game right away, but credited Harrisburg for bringing the energy in the second game and putting their backs against the wall.

“The first ballgame was good, we built a 9-3 lead and got out early and kind of coasted to that one,” Pollock said. “In the second ballgame we ran into a good arm, I thought that kid had a nice little slider and they hit ball extremely well; I can’t remember the last doubleheader that we’ve given up four home runs, so at some point you just have to tip your hat to the opponent. They’re a good team.”

Game 1

Marshall 18U 9, Harrisburg (S.D.) 7

In the opener, both teams couldn’t take advantage of a base hit in their first at-bats, but Marshall didn’t waste much time finding its offensive groove. After a groundout led off the second, Marshall did the majority of its damage in the frame with one out. Jack Bly connected on a double and Jacob Hughes reached on a single before a walk from Josh Baker loaded the bases. Jaden Pearcy then smacked a two-run single to give Marshall a 2-0 lead.

Marshall wasn’t done there, though, as a bunt single from Matt Hmielewski and a pair of walks by Chase Douglas and Jordan Mernaugh brought in two more runs. A couple of batters later, AJ Toulouse lined a two-run single before Bly drove in two more runs to push Marshall’s advantage to 8-0 after two.

Harrisburg wouldn’t go away without a fight, though, using a single and a walk to get a pair of runners aboard before a three-run blast to left field helped cut its deficit to 8-3 in the next half-inning. But Marshall had a quick answer, with Baker getting a leadoff walk in the bottom of the frame before coming around to score on an RBI double by Hmielewski.

After a scoreless fourth, Harrisburg was able to take advantage of a single and a double to lead things off in the fifth before a walk loaded the bases with no outs. A couple of batters later, a single would bring in two runs to cut the deficit to 9-5, but Baker was able to escape the jam on the mound by getting back-to-back strikeouts to end the frame.

Harrisburg would add a run in the sixth to draw to within three at 9-6 and a run in the seventh and had the tying run on second with two outs, but the reliever Mernaugh was able to get a popout to end the game and secure the victory for Marshall.

Baker earned the win on the mound, going five innings while allowing five runs on seven hits and struck out five. Mernaugh tossed the final two innings, allowing two runs on four hits and struck out one.

Bly led the way offensively with a 2 for 3 day at the plate with two RBI while Toulouse and Pearcy each added a hit and two RBI.

Pollock said their key on offense, particularly in the second inning, was just being able to find the open spots in the field and utilize their base-running to break open the scoring.

“We hit the ball and when we hit it in the gaps, we ran the bases better,” Pollock said. “We’re a good hitting team and that’s definitely a strength of ours and we showed it that first game.”

Game 2

Harrisburg (S.D.) 14, Marshall 18U 1 (5 innings)

The nightcap saw Harrisburg this time jump out to a hot start, as it used an RBI double and a sacrifice in the first to plate two runs before a trio of singles added five more runs in the second to make it 7-0. Marshall would get on the board in the bottom half of the frame, as Josh Baker reached with a two-out single before an RBI double by Braden Meyer gave Marshall its first run of the night.

After a scoreless third, Harrisburg showed its power at the plate in the next frame, getting a walk and a two-run homer to push its advantage to 9-1. They then followed it up with another two-run blast, this time to left-center, to make it 11-1. In the fifth, Harrisburg capped its strong offensive display with a three-run shot to left to bring it to the 14-1 final.

Meyer led the way offensively for Marshall with a 2 for 2 day at the plate and an RBI while Baker and Mernaugh each added a hit.

Chase Douglas took the loss on the mound, going 1 2/3 innings while allowing six runs on two hits.

Up next

Marshall 18U will have a small break before competing again next week. Pollock said their biggest takeaway will be just resting up and getting healthy again after a long week of games.

“We get to rest up, we ran out of pitching this week, so we just need to get healthy and come back next week and continue to get better,” Pollock said.