Jackson Dempsey prepares to fire the ball toward the plate at Thomas Worthington. Dempsey scattered two hits and struck out seven for the victory.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
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There are times when a baseball team doesn’t have its most potent offense.
A victory can still be assured, however, if the pitching is solid and the defense is pretty airtight.
Marysville’s varsity squad earned a 4-1 triumph at Thomas Worthington Friday evening on the latter two fundamentals.
Jackson Dempsey pitched a stellar game as he scattered a pair of hits and struck out seven.
“I was able to mix my fastball and curve pretty well,” said the junior hurler. “That’s what I stuck with the entire game.
“I got ahead in the count with my fastball and finished off batters with my curve,” he said.
While Dempsey tossed a nifty game, he received help from a defense that came up with some solid plays.
“Our defense worked hard behind me,” said Dempsey. “They made things a lot easier.”
“Jackson threw strikes and did a nice job,” said Monarch head coach Nick Blake. “Our defense has played consistently well all season.”
Marysville won its eighth game in 10 outings by plating single runs in the top of the second through fifth innings.
James Hackworth led off the second with a double.
Tyler Kesterson was issued a free pass.
After a pop-up out, Mason Springs was safe on a fielder’s choice, which allowed Hackworth to race to third.
Springs stole second and Hackworth ran home when the throw to second was high.
Griffin Scheiderer ripped a one-out triple in the third and scored on a single from Derek Moyer.
MHS grabbed a 3-0 lead in the fourth on a Cardinal fielding miscue.
Walks to Jake Fisher and Hackworth, along with a hit batsman (Wade) loaded the bases in the visitors’ portion of the fifth.
Springs was plunked by a pitch, which brought in Marysville’s final run.
Dempsey kept Thomas Worthington off the scoreboard until the Cardinals’ final time at bat.
MHS committed its lone error to lead off the bottom of the seventh.
The next batter walked and both runners advanced on a double steal.
A ground ball out brought in the run that reduced the Cards’ deficit to 4-1.
Dempsey, though, notched two punchouts to end the contest.
The junior pitcher remained strong the entire game.
“I didn’t feel tired at all,” said Dempsey. “I just kept my head down and kept working.
“You can never think you’re tired,” he said. “It’s all mental.”
The Monarchs didn’t have one of their best offensive games. They finished with three hits and stranded 10 runners.
“It always concerns me when we leave guys on base,” said Blake. “There are games when it’s not always pretty.
“However, good teams find ways to win,” he said.
While Dempsey went the distance in the mound, Thomas Worthington burned through three pitchers.
Nick Clay started for the Cardinals. He allowed all three of MHS’ hits and a trio of runs.
He struck out six and walked four in picking up the loss.
Lucas King went one-third of an inning. A run was charged to his account. He walked two and hit a pair of batters.
Paxton Bohnert finished the contest for Thomas Worthington.
MHS 011 110 0-4 3 1
TW 000 000 1-1 2 2
WP: Dempsey
LP: Clay