Austin Goodrich produces game-winning hit, save to help Class 3A No. 3 Marion sweep 3A No. 9 Benton Community

MARION – A walk-off, a save and then field duties.

All in a day’s work for Marion’s Austin Goodrich, who contributed in multiple ways Monday night.

“Everyone does their job,” Goodrich said. “Regardless of who you are, just come in and make the field as good as possible.”

Goodrich’s game-winning hit in the bottom of the seventh closed the comeback victory in the opener, his perfect two innings of relief earned the save in the nightcap and Class 3A third-ranked Marion swept No. 9 Benton Community, 4-3 and 5-3, in a Wamac Conference prep baseball doubleheader at the Les Hipple Athletic Complex.

“It feels great,” Goodrich said. “Benton is a really good team. We knew coming in that it was a ranked matchup and we knew we had to come out, do our job and that's what we did.”

Goodrich stepped to the plate with two outs in a tied game. He produced his first hit of the game, delivering a game-ending RBI single to center field that scored Isaiah Scott.

“He doesn't try to do too much at the plate,” Marion Coach Steve Fish said. “He's not up there trying to get a home run. He knows what he's capable of doing, so he's the guy I wanted to see there.

“He has quiet confidence. I love kids with quiet confidence and that quiet confidence is awesome.”

Goodrich recalled being in that situation last season against Burlington. He said he had a similar hit to win that game. The Bobcats walked Grayson Kirsch to get to Goodrich and he was comfortable in that position.

“It just felt great, getting the win for the team,” Goodrich said. “I knew to keep it simple. Just find a barrel and do some damage. I was very excited.”

A late rally didn’t seem necessary after Scott’s solo home run in the first, Dawson Goad’s fielder’s choice that plated a run in the fourth and 6 2/3 of shutout innings from starter Andrew Ahmann.

Benton was down to its final out when it rallied for three in the seventh. Drew Fillenworth reached base, Eli Patterson dropped a base hit in left field and Grady Frese and Casey Gessner were hit by pitches to score the first run. Grant Volesky’s bases loaded walk tied the game and Brooks Birdsell followed with an RBI single to take the lead.

Fish suffered a case of déjà vu. He was in disbelief when it seemed like the Wolves blew another lead. The Wolves exorcise their demons.

“We have given up two-run leads this year like candy,” Fish said. “We've lost a couple of games that way, and we came back and won (this time). That's baseball.

“I've told these guys all along I’d much rather play in these tight games – good baseball games – than winning 10 or 12 to nothing. You start to learn. I saw some learning tonight. We were fortunate a little bit at times, but I thought it was a good baseball game, for the most part.”

Goodrich wasn’t done making his presence felt. This time it was from the mound. Goodrich entered the game with the Wolves holding a 4-3 lead. He retired six straight batters, striking out the side in the sixth, and closed the sweep.

“He's a kid that probably doesn't get enough recognition,” Fish said. “Austin quietly gets the job done. He's a very, very good third baseman and we could probably start him as a pitcher, but we like to use him and his brother, Cole, as relievers. It's just worked out really well.”

So, which was more satisfying: the walk-off hit or the save?

“I would say the walk-off,” Goodrich said. “It doesn’t happen very often, so I’m glad seeing the team get the wins.”

Isaiah Scott finished with three hits, three runs and three RBIs overall. Jake Miller had three hits and scored and Elijah Scott added an RBI in the nightcap for Marion (13-3, 9-1 Wamac West). Cole Goodrich got the win in the first game and Tait Rahe pitched five innings for the Game 2 win.

  Buy Photo

Benton Community (16-5, 9-3) received two hits, including a two-run home run, from Fillenworth in the second game.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com