MARION — Marion and Trico not only came into Thursday’s softball game a combined 25-0 on the season, but the two teams had done so in dominant fashion. The Wildcats came in averaging more than 15 runs a game–the Lady Pioneers better than 12.

So naturally when the two went head to head, runs were at a premium, as Marion won a pitchers’ duel, 3-1.

Both teams started freshmen pitchers–Kaitlyn Reuss for Marion and Josie Wettig for Trico, and they were outstanding. The difference in the game turned out to be defense. A couple of Lady Pioneer miscues led to all three Marion runs in the third inning. The Wildcats meanwhile made multiple highlight reel plays, including senior shortstop Heaven Lawrence’s diving effort to save a run in the the first inning.

With the win, Marion improves to 12-0. Trico falls to 14-1.