Marion jells with sweep

MARION - Marion softball coach Kim Knapp admitted her team has struggled at the plate from time to time. But Thursday night on their home diamond, the Indians were not to be denied.

Marion swept Williamsburg, 12-5 and 13-2 via mercy rule.

The Indians put on a clinic, showcasing strong batting, pitching and fielding. Knapp said they have been practicing on batting more lately, and that showed last night.

“I'm very proud of the girls,” Knapp said. “They played very well, finally hitting the ball. It's huge for our confidence. (Assistant coach Kayla Lincoln) and I have been telling them all along that they are very capable if they just believe in themselves.”

Williamsburg had positive moments, especially in the first two innings of the opener, but they were unable to build on it. The pitchers struggled but had little help from their fielders, who had a handful of errors.

Young gun Amber Fiser pitched the first game for Marion and recorded ten strikeouts.

“Our pitchers did a great job,” Knapp said. “Amber Fiser, an eighth-grader, came in and did a fantastic job.”

She was deadly offensively as well, hitting a two-run RBI double in each game.

“I was confident tonight,” Fiser said. “Everyone cheering me on helps me a lot.”

Knapp is hoping this performance will help propel the team through the rest of the season.

“We're not used to two solid games,” Knapp said. “Sometimes they think one is enough and can't quite get over the hump. We're starting to get over the hump.”

It was a warm night, and after the top of the sixth an umpire, who appeared to be suffering from dehydration, called for the Marion trainer. There was no official word on the umpire's condition but the other umpire finished the game alone.