PATS

From page A6

VALLEY VIEW 4, MARION 1

Caldwell took the ball in the nightcap and fired seven innings, striking out seven Patriots, and surrendered just five hits, with four walks.

Marion had Caldwell on the ropes in the bottom of the third when Parker Nash, Matthew Kearney, and Carey walked, but Caldwell induced a Connor Taylor groundout to snuff out the threat.

Marion senior right-hander Jett Sutton dueled Caldwell through four scoreless innings, but Valley View broke through in the top of the fifth with all four of its runs.

Leading 1-0 with two outs but the bases full of Blazers, Carter Saulsbury struck a three-run double to give Valley View full control of the contest.

York tallied Marion’s only run of the night with a long home run to left field in the bottom of the sixth, but the final four Patriots went down in order.

Kearney finished 2-3 with a walk in the second game, while Carey walked twice. York finished 2-3, including his home run, and Nash was 1-2.

Sutton started and threw 4.2 no-hit innings at Valley View while striking out five. Daxton Davis and Cohen Bumbaugh combined to cover the final 2.1 innings, allowing just three hits and striking out three.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Marion may not play again until Tuesday, April 4, when the Patriots host Nettleton for a 5A East doubleheader at First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas Stadium, home of John Robbins Field. The first pitch of the Nettleton contest is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

5A EAST STANDINGS & CONFERENCE RECORDS

Batesville 4-0 Greene Co. Tech 4-0 Valley View 4-0 Marion 2-2 Searcy 2-2 Nettleton 0-4 Paragould 0-4 W. Memphis 0-4 The top four finishers in the 5A East standings will represent the conference in the 2023 state baseball tournament in Marion.