Solon rebounds to earn baseball doubleheader split with Class 3A No. 6 Marion

MARION - Solon Coach Keith McSweeney got a glimpse of his team’s potential.

The Spartans demonstrated what they can accomplish with strong pitching, solid defense, timely hitting and limited mistakes.

Solon went from routed to righting the ship, rebounding from a 13-3 loss in five innings in the opener to beating Class 3A No. 6 Marion, 7-5, in the nightcap of a doubleheader split Monday night at Marion.

“The second game was a good baseball game,” McSweeney said. “When our guys play like that, we feel we can compete with teams of Marion’s caliber. Hopefully, we can get there by the end of the year ourselves. We think we’re on our way.”

Solon led throughout Game 2 thanks to a specific formula. The top of the order set the table and the middle of the order feasted. Leadoff batter Blake Timmons, Brett White and Gehrig Turner (and his courtesy runner Nash Kotar) accounted for all seven runs.

Timmons was plunked to leadoff the game and White followed with a base hit. Nolan Seagren increased his team high to 20 RBIs with a two-run single for a 2-0 lead in the first.

The Spartans were able to pull away late with a two-run fifth and three more in the sixth. Vince Steinbrech provided three RBIs in those two innings, including an RBI single to score White in the fifth. He also drove the game-winning run with a two-run single after Turner hit an RBI double.

“The middle and back half of our order played well,” McSweeney said. “They moved runners. I thought we put pressure on them on the bases.”

Solon also received a quality starter from sophomore right-hander Jackson Link. He has served as a reliever for the Spartans this season but received his first start, according to Sweeney.

Link scattered 10 hits, allowing five runs to a Marion offense that entered Monday averaging more than eight runs a game and scored 10 or more in five of the previous six games.

Avoiding the big inning was crucial and something that hurt Solon in the opener. Marion was limited to one run in the first, third and fifth. The sixth was the lone multi-run inning for the Wolves.

“Link gave us a great start,” McSweeney said. “This was his first of the year. He’s given us some good innings this year in relief. He’s kind of a utility guy at first base, catcher, DH (designated hitter) and obviously pitcher.

“He did a really nice job.”

The Spartans defense provided support, including a double play in the first, diving catches by outfielders Tyson Wheeler and Timmons and an error-free performance.

“If you throw strikes, sooner or later, hitters are going to get themselves out and that’s what happened,” McSweeney said. “We were able to catch those balls.”

In the opener, Solon received two hits with a two-run single from Ty Bell and an RBI single from Seagren. The Spartans (8-8) had positive feelings with a victory to end the night and keep a .500 record.

“We feel good coming out with a split after that first game,” McSweeney said. “Obviously, we have a lot of respect for that (Marion) program.”

The opener was all Marion. The Wolves tallied 13 runs on seven hits, seven walks and one hit batsman. They scored multiple runs each inning they stepped to the plate.

Jake Miller had two hits, four RBIs and three runs. His two-run home run over the left field fence gave the Wolves a 4-2 lead in the second.

Every Marion batter accounted for a run with Ryker Remington and Kaiden Griffith scoring twice apiece. Marion (9-3) blew open Game 1 with a six-run third, sending 12 batters to the plate. Miller had a two-run double in the frame.

Myles Davis paced the Wolves. He went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run and two walks in Game 1. In the nightcap, Davis had a single, double and home run with a walk, scoring twice and driving in one. The University of Iowa commit has five home runs and 13 RBIs this season.