By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
PRINCETON -- One month after suffering an ankle injury while sliding into home plate, Madisonville-North Hopkins pitcher Hayden Marks exhibited few signs of rust as he returned to defeat Dawson Springs in the opening round of the 7th District Tournament.
Marks tossed a complete game and came just two outs from recording a no-hitter as the Maroons (23-9) rolled against the Panthers (0-23) in an 18-1 five-inning victory at Princeton's V.F.W. Ballpark on Monday evening.
"For the most part, I thought he had great command," Vance said of Marks. "His velocity, I don't think was 100 percent, but it was there somewhere between 85 and 90 percent and that just comes with pitching a bit.
"He did what we wanted. He got us a 'W' and we punched our ticket into next week's regional tournament."
Marks struck out the first six Dawson batters of the contest to build some early confidence.
"It was great because coming back I didn't know how it would be," Marks commented on his return to the rubber. "I didn't know if I would have control or be in the strike zone. It's still tender, but it felt fine landing on it and throwing off the mound."
At the plate, North created havoc from the first inning. The Maroons sent 16 hitters to the plate in the first en route to 12 runs. Senior shortstop Ben Campbell knocked in the game's first two runs on a triple. Justin Lamb, Zach Baird and Michael Huddleston provided RBI singles in the inning. Micah Rainwater contributed the big blast of the outburst with a three-run double.
Marks tossed a complete game and came just two outs from recording a no-hitter as the Maroons (23-9) rolled against the Panthers (0-23) in an 18-1 five-inning victory at Princeton's V.F.W. Ballpark on Monday evening.
"For the most part, I thought he had great command," Vance said of Marks. "His velocity, I don't think was 100 percent, but it was there somewhere between 85 and 90 percent and that just comes with pitching a bit.
"He did what we wanted. He got us a 'W' and we punched our ticket into next week's regional tournament."
Marks struck out the first six Dawson batters of the contest to build some early confidence.
"It was great because coming back I didn't know how it would be," Marks commented on his return to the rubber. "I didn't know if I would have control or be in the strike zone. It's still tender, but it felt fine landing on it and throwing off the mound."
At the plate, North created havoc from the first inning. The Maroons sent 16 hitters to the plate in the first en route to 12 runs. Senior shortstop Ben Campbell knocked in the game's first two runs on a triple. Justin Lamb, Zach Baird and Michael Huddleston provided RBI singles in the inning. Micah Rainwater contributed the big blast of the outburst with a three-run double.
Dawson did not help its cause by creating nine errors on the game including six in the first inning.
In the second, North batted around again and plated five more runs. This time, Huddleston knocked the big hit with a two-run home run to left field.
Meanwhile, Marks cruised on the mound and did not allow a baserunner until a walk with two outs in the fourth to Brett Cobb. Then, in the fifth, Marks surrendered back-to-back hits. The first by Todd Bullock broke up his no-hit bid and the second, a double by Alan Higbee, ended the shutout. Marks, however, secured outs from the next two batters to preserve the victory.
By game's end, Marks struck out 10 Panthers. For Marks, the start was his first since April 18 against Daviess County. During that contest, Marks injured his ankle when his leg connected with the Daviess catcher's shin guards as he slid across the dish.
Although Marks has not seen any live action since that point, Vance said the sophomore pitcher has been throwing on the side from a chair to retain arm strength.
After the game, Marks said he felt confident in his teammates' offensive firepower as well as his command.
"When we hit the ball like that, I don't think there's any team that can compete with us," he said. "It feels good to pitch with a good lead and just have confidence to throw strikes."
Offensively, Huddleston and Rainwater each finished 3-for-3 with three RBIs.
Dawson (0-23) 000 00 - 1 2 9
North (23-9) (12)51 0X - 18 9 0
WP: Hayden Marks. LP: Ethan Scott
In the second, North batted around again and plated five more runs. This time, Huddleston knocked the big hit with a two-run home run to left field.
Meanwhile, Marks cruised on the mound and did not allow a baserunner until a walk with two outs in the fourth to Brett Cobb. Then, in the fifth, Marks surrendered back-to-back hits. The first by Todd Bullock broke up his no-hit bid and the second, a double by Alan Higbee, ended the shutout. Marks, however, secured outs from the next two batters to preserve the victory.
By game's end, Marks struck out 10 Panthers. For Marks, the start was his first since April 18 against Daviess County. During that contest, Marks injured his ankle when his leg connected with the Daviess catcher's shin guards as he slid across the dish.
Although Marks has not seen any live action since that point, Vance said the sophomore pitcher has been throwing on the side from a chair to retain arm strength.
After the game, Marks said he felt confident in his teammates' offensive firepower as well as his command.
"When we hit the ball like that, I don't think there's any team that can compete with us," he said. "It feels good to pitch with a good lead and just have confidence to throw strikes."
Offensively, Huddleston and Rainwater each finished 3-for-3 with three RBIs.
Dawson (0-23) 000 00 - 1 2 9
North (23-9) (12)51 0X - 18 9 0
WP: Hayden Marks. LP: Ethan Scott
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