Ashton Schmutz of Marysville slides safely into second base ahead of the throw for a stolen base. The Monarchs defeated Westerville North, 8-2, on Wednesday. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
Marysville pitcher Jack Christian scattered three of Westerville North’s four hits and kept the Warriors off the scoreboard for five innings on Wednesday.
The visitors plated two runs off the MHS senior in the top portion of the sixth inning.
That was too little, too late, however, as the Monarchs (3-2) rolled to an 8-2 victory.
Christian walked four batters during that stretch, but left six stranded on base. He finished the game with six strikeouts.
MHS’ Jack Christian prepares to release a pitch against Westerville North. Christian notched the win over the Warriors. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
The Monarchs gave their pitcher all the runs he really needed in the bottom of the opening inning.
North starter JJ Dixon issued two free passes and was touched for three hits as MHS jumped out to a 4-0 lead.
Ashton Schmutz led off the first with a single and moved along the bases after Christian Colvin’s double.
Christian walked to load the bases
Dixon issued a free pass to Tristan Burns that brought in a run and left the sacks juiced.
Bailey Wade singled in a run and Burns later scored on a wild pitch, giving Marysville a 3-0 margin.
R.J. Thornton grounded into a double play that plated another run for the 4-0 MHS advantage.
Dixon eventually got out of trouble with an inning-ending ground ball.
Although Christian and Dixon allowed base runners, the scoreboard remained quiet for the next 3 ½ innings.
The Monarchs (who will travel to Hilliard Davidson on Friday) basically put the game out of reach with four runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Schmutz got things started against relief pitcher Trevor Nentz. He reached base on a Warrior fielding miscue.
He swiped second and later advanced to third on a wild pitch.
With one down, Christian walked and stole second, putting two runners in scoring position.
Burns ripped a 0-1 pitch for a two-bagger that scored Schmutz and Christian.
North committed an error on the play, which permitted Burns an extra base to third.
Wade walked and stole second.
Thornton was then issued a free pass that once against loaded the bases.
Alden Prohaska singled in a run that gave the Monarchs a 7-0 advantage.
Zach Monnin was safe on a fielder’s choice that brought in MHS’ final run.
Nentz later coaxed a grounder to escape further damage.
One of North’s consolation runs in the sixth came as a result of Marysville’s lone fielding miscue of the day.
Justin DeHoff came on in relief for the Monarchs in the visitors’ portion of the seventh.
“Jack threw a nice game, but was up to 93 pitches,” said Monarch head coach Nick Blake. “We felt good bringing in Justin.
“We had timely hits and were especially good with situational hitting in the first inning,” he said. “We made hard contact tonight.”
WN 000 002 0-2 4 2
MHS 400 040 x-8 8 1
WP-Christian
LP-Dixon