Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
TROY — Oh so close.
Trailing 1-0 in the seventh and stifled all day by Mascoutah freshman starting pitcher Darren Klein, the Marion Wildcats finally had a chance.
With two outs and Brady Jackson on second base after a bloop double, Chase Niemeyer hit a ball that looked destined for left field, but Indians’ shortstop Cameron Eddy ranged deep into the hole to field the ball. His throw to first was high, opening the door for Jackson to possibly score, but Mascoutah first baseman Josh Amann jumped to catch Eddy’s throw, landed, turned, and threw a strike to catcher Grant Reinneck, who dove to tag out Jackson on a bang bang play as he was sliding into the plate, preserving the 1-0 win.
Mascoutah got a run in the bottom of the second against Wildcats’ sophomore starter Aiden Pickles. Pickles settled in, allowing only that run on four hits over six innings. Pickles was the beneficiary of three inning-ending double plays turned by his defense.
The ‘Cats offense though could get nothing going against Klein, who kept them off-balance all day, on the way to a three-hit shutout.
The win sends Mascoutah to the sectional finals Saturday against fellow Mississippi Valley school Highland.
Marion’s season ends at 25-9.
