Photo by Jake Przytarski Marshall’s Keaton Maertens (4) celebrates with teammate Charlie Jacobson after getting a walk-off sacrifice fly against Willmar on Saturday. Marshall defeated Willmar 1-0 in nine innings and Luverne 7-5 to take first in its home tournament.

MARSHALL — The Marshall Legion baseball team got its season underway on Saturday, playing in its home tournament. The Mudcats were able to earn a pair of victories, defeating Willmar 1-0 in nine innings and Luverne 7-5.

Against Willmar, neither side was able to find scoring through seven innings, forcing extras. After a scoreless eighth, the two teams headed to the ninth looking to get on the board. Willmar couldn’t take advantage of a pair of singles in the top half of the frame, leaving Marshall a chance to win the game. Charlie Jacobson led things off with a walk before advancing on a wild pitch before Keaton Maertens brought in the game-winning run on a walk-off sacrifice fly.

Maertens led Marshall with a hit and an RBI while Jacob Hughes, Connor Neubeck and Jacobson each had a hit.

Mitchell Bouwman earned the win in relief, going three innings while allowing no runs on two hits and struck out three. Jacobson earned the start, going six innings while allowing no runs on six hits and struck out four.

Against Luverne, Marshall jumped out to an early 5-0 lead thanks to an RBI double by Hughes and an RBI groundout by Brock Schultz in the first inning and an RBI double by Chase Douglas, an RBI groundout by Neubeck and an RBI single by Schultz in the second inning. Luverne would score three in the top of the fourth, but Marshall responded with an RBI double by Neubeck.

Luverne then got two more runs in the top of the fifth to draw to within one at 6-5, but Marshall got a sacrifice fly by Maertens to bring it to the 7-5 final.

Douglas led Marshall with two hits and an RBI while Neubeck added a hit and two RBI and Hughes and Schultz each had a hit and an RBI.

Bouwman earned the victory on the mound, going 3 1/3 innings while allowing three runs on four hits and struck out four. Jake Eben threw the final 3 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on four hits and struck out three.

Marshall (2-0) will compete in the BOLD tournament next weekend, facing Annandale next Saturday at 3:30 p.m.