Article by Steven Hendrixson, MHS Student Writer
On Monday, the Cubs traveled to Martinsville for their last game of the season before the playoffs. Coming into the game with a 12-0 record, Marshall would have the chance to close out the regular season undefeated with a win over Martinsville. The Bluestreaks came into the game with a 2-4 record, but the Cubs shouldn’t underestimate their opponent, Martinsville closed out their last game in dominant fashion after a surprising 12-2 blowout win over Pal-Hut, proving that despite their record, any day could be their day. The Cubs needed to be on their A-game.
In the top of the 1st, Brockton Phillips started the scoring with a single, and the offense continued to pressure Martinsville pitcher Michael Piehl. Brody Pugh drew a walk, and Phillips and Pugh both advanced on the bases. After a series of passed and wild pitches, Phillips scored to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead.
Cooper Morey later scored on another passed ball, followed by Easton Huffington scoring to make it 3-0. Martinsville answered in the bottom of the inning, taking advantage of an error and scoring two runs to cut the lead to 3-2.
The Cubs responded immediately in the top of the second. Sam Welsh walked and eventually scored on a passed ball, extending the lead to 4-2. Marshall’s offense continued to create opportunities by drawing walks and advancing runners.
The third inning proved to be the turning point. The Cubs scored five runs in the inning to build an 9-2 advantage. Welsh, Cason Furlong, Lucas Stence, Brockton Phillips, Brody Pugh, Cooper Morey and Huffington all contributed to the offensive outburst. Phillips delivered an RBI single, while Morey followed with a single that brought in multiple runs. Huffington then added another RBI single to cap the scoring.
Marshall added another run in the fourth inning when Welsh singled and later scored. Furlong reached on an error, and Stence grounded out to pitcher Jackson Vincent, allowing Welsh to score and make it 10-2.
The offense continued in the fifth. Morey walked and eventually scored when Jayse Gard lined a single to center field, giving the Cubs an 11-2 lead.
Marshall added its final run in the top of the sixth when Sam Welsh scored on a groundout by Lucas Stence, making the score 12-2.
While the offense continued to produce, Marshall’s stellar pitching kept Martinsville from mounting a comeback. Easton Huffington recorded numerous strikeouts throughout the game, including three consecutive strikeouts to end the second inning. He continued to dominate in the third, fourth and fifth innings, recording multiple strikeouts in each frame.
Martinsville was held scoreless from the second through fifth innings, with Huffington striking out batters including Isaac Thompson, Jack Hollingsworth, Ranger Dodd, Knox Finney, Hayes Washburn and Jayce Babbs. 16 total Bluestreaks were struck out over the course of the game. Marshall’s pitchers also showed great patience throughout the game, only giving the Bluestreaks one walk for the entire game. The Cubs also did not allow the Bluestreaks a single hit for the contest.
The Cubs go up 13-0 on the season with the win, completing their undefeated regular season.
Marshall had a total of 7 hits, 9 RBIs, 12 BB, and only got struck out twice.
Marshall will compete in IESA Regional play as the #1 seed on Saturday, September 19th, 10:00 a.m., at Casey, vs. the winner of Casey-Westfield and Lawrenceville.