Send-off planned Thursday as team departs for Pratt

By MINDY KEPFIELD

Staff writer

Marion High softball has punched a state ticket for the first time in the team’s history, but the girls have chosen to celebrate their victory by working even harder this week.

The Warriors saluted the team’s success Monday by running defensive drills on a muddy field and lining up for repeat workouts with a batting machine.

All teams play to win, but Marion High softball is hungry this year, coach Judy Noller said.

“I think it’s just our determination and our belief that we can win any game where we play well,” she said.

Senior Megan Neufeld said the heartache of a season canceled by COVID-19 has driven the team’s seniors who were determined not to waste their chance to play.

“It just pushed us to work even harder to achieve,” she said.

Fellow senior Laura Savage said the team has come out swinging at the plate this season and needs to keep it up in Pratt, she said.

“We hope for three wins, three wins,” she said. “If our bats don’t get going, then we’re going to have a problem.”

The Warriors’ prowess at the plate helped the team win over the Wildcats this past week as Marion’s sluggers hit nine runs in the first inning.

Senior Chisholm Waner kept pressure on the Wildcats at the pitcher’s mound, giving up only four runs on six hits, and striking out five.

Noller said the team has worked hard on batting, but also has improved its defense with work.

The Warriors have learned to focus and play a softball “the way it is supposed to be played,” she said.

“When we play well, it’s going to be hard for a team to hit with us … or compete with us,” she said.

The public is invited to line Main St. at 2:15 p.m. Thursday and cheer the Warriors as they depart the Sports and Aquatic Center for Pratt.

Marion will face Burlingame at 7 p.m. Thursday at Pratt-Green Sports Complex.